Intra  Muros 


By 

REBECCA 

RUTER 

SPRINGER 


DAVID  C.  COOK  PUBLISHING  CO. 
ELGIN,  ILLINOIS 


OF  CALIF.   LIBRARY,    LOS  ANGELES 


COPYRIGHT,  1898, 

BY  DAVID  C.  COOK  PUBLISHING  Co. 
ELGIN,  ILLINOIS. 


AUTHOR'S  PREFACE. 


The  pages  of  this  little  volume  contain  no  fancy  sketch, 
written  to  while  away  an  idle  hour ;  but  are  the  true,  though 
greatly  condensed,  record  of  an  experience  during  days  when 
life  hung  in  the  balance  between  Time  and  Eternity,  witli 
the  scales  dipping  decidedly  toward  the  Eternity  side. 

I  am  painfully  aware  of  the  fact  that  I  can  never  paint  for 
others  the  scenes  as  they  appeared  to  me  during  those  wonder- 
ful days.  If  I  can  only  dimly  show  the  close  linking  of  the 
two  lives — the  mortal  with  the  divine — as  they  then  appeared 
to  me,  I  may  be  able  to  partly  tear  the  veil  from  the  death 
we  so  dread,  and  show  it  to  be  only  an  open  door  into  a  new 
and  beautiful  phase  of  the  life  we  now  live. 

If  any  of  the  scenes  depicted  should  seem  irreverent  in 
view  of  our  religious  training  here,  I  can  only  say,  "  I  give 
it  as  it  came  to  me."  In  those  strange,  happy  hours  the  close 
blending  of  the  two  lives,  so  wrapped  about  with  the  Father's 
watchful  care  and  tender  love;  the  reunion  of  friends,  with 
the  dear  earth-ties  unchanged;  the  satisfied  desires,  the  glad 
surprises  and  the  divine  joys,  all  intensified  and  illumined  by 
the  reverence  and  love  and  adoration  that  all  hearts  gave  to 
the  blessed  Trinity,  appeared  to  me  the  most  perfect  revela- 
tion of  that  "  blessed  life  "  of  which  here  we  so  fondly  dream. 
With  the  hope  that  it  may  comfort  and  uplift  some  who  read, 
even  as  it  then  did,  and  as  its  memory  ever  will  do,  for  me, 
I  submit  this  imperfect  sketch  of  a  most  perfect  vision. 

R.  R.  S. 


2133003 


"  Shall  we  stop  at  that  poor  line,  the 
grave,  which  all  our  Christianity  is  always 
trying  to  wipe  out  and  make  nothing  of, 
and  which  we  always  insist  on  widening 
into  a  great  gulf?  Shall  we  not  stretch 
our  thought  beyond,  and  feel  the  life-blood 
of  this  holy  church,  this  living  body  of 
Christ,  pulsing  out  into  the  saints  who  are 
living  there,  and  coming  back  throbbing 
with  tidings  of  their  glorious  and  sympa- 
thetic life?" 

—Rt.  Rev.  Phillips  Brooks,  D.  D. 


CHAPTER  I. 

When  the  holy  angels  meet  us, 

As  we  go  to  join  their  band, 
Shall  we  know  the  friends  that  greet  us, 

In  the  glorious  spirit-land? 
Shall  we  see  the  same  eyes  shining 

On  us,  as  in  days  of  yore? 
Shall  we  feel  their  dear  arms  twining 

Fondly  'round  us  as  before? 

Shall  we  know  each  other  there? 

— [Rev.  R.  Lowry. 

I  WAS  many  hundred  miles  away  from  home  and 
friends,  and  had  been  very  ill  for  many  weeks.  I  was 
entirely  among  strangers,  and  my  only  attendant,  though 
of  a  kindly  disposition,  knew  nothing  whatever  of  the  duties 
of  the  sick  room;  hence  I  had  none  of  the  many  delicate  at- 
tentions that  keep  up  an  invalid's  failing  strength.  I  had 
taken  no  nourishment  of  any  kind  for  nearly  three  weeks, 
scarcely  even  water,  and  was  greatly  reduced  in  both  flesh 
and  strength,  and  consciousness  seemed  at  times  to  wholly 
desert  me.  I  had  an  unutterable  longing  for  the  presence  of 
my  dear  distant  ones;  for  the  gentle  touch  of  beloved  hands, 
and  whispered  words  of  love  and  courage;  but  they  never 
came — they  could  not.  Responsible  duties,  that  I  felt  must 
not  be  neglected,  kept  these  dear  ones  much  of  the  time  in 
distant  scenes,  and  I  would  not  recall  them. 

I  lay  in  a  large,  comfortable  room,  on  the  second  floor 


8  INTRA   MUROS 

of  a  house  in  Kentville.  The  bed  stood  in  a  recess  at  one 
end  of  the  apartment,  and  from  this  recess  a  large  stained- 
glass  window  opened  upon  a  veranda  fronting  on  the  street. 
During  much  of  my  illness  I  lay  with  my  face  to  this  win- 
dow, and  my  back  to  the  room;  and  I  remember  thinking 
how  easy  it  would  be  to  pass  through  the  window  to  the 
veranda,  if  one  so  desired.  When  the  longing  for  the  loved 
distant  faces  and  voices  became  more  than  I  could  bear,  I 
prayed  that  the  dear  Christ  would  help  me  to  realize  his 
blessed  presence;  and  that  since  the  beloved  ones  of  earth 
could  not  minister  to  me,  I  might  feel  the  influence  of  the 
other  dear  ones  who  are  "all  ministering  spirits."  Especially 
did  I  ask  to  be  sustained  should  I  indeed  be  called  to  pass 
through  the  dark  waters  alone.  It  was  no  idle  prayer,  and 
the  response  came  swiftly,  speedily.  All  anxieties  and  cares 
slipped  away  from  me,  as  a  worn-out  garment,  and  peace, 
Christ's  peace,  enfolded  me.  I  was  willing  to  wait  God's 
time  for  the  coming  of  those  so  dear  to  me,  and  said  to 
myself,  more  than  once,  "If  not  here,  it  will  be  there;  there 
is  no  fear  of  disappointment  there."  In  those  wonderful 
days  of  agonized  suffering,  and  great  peace,  I  felt  that  I  had 
truly  found,  as  never  before,  the  refuge  of  "  the  Everlasting 
Arms."  They  lifted  me ;  they  upbore  me ;  they  enfolded  me ; 
and  I  rested  in  them,  as  a  tired  child  upon  its  mother's 
bosom.  One  morning,  dark  and  cold  and  stormy,  after  a 
day  and  night  of  intense  suffering,  I  seemed  to  be  standing 
on  the  floor  by  the  bed,  in  front  of  the  stained-glass  window. 


INTRA   MUROS  9 

Some  one  was  standing  by  me,  and,  when  I  looked  up,  I 
saw  it  was  my  husband's  favorite  brother,  who  "  crossed  the 
flood  "  many  years  ago, 

"My  dear  brother  Frank!"  I  cried  out  joyously,  "how 
good  of  you  to  come!" 

"  It  was  a  great  joy  to  me  that  I  could  do  so,  little  sister," 
he  said  gently.  "  Shall  we  go  now?"  and  he  drew  me  toward 
the  window. 

I  turned  my  head  and  looked  back  into  the  room  that 
somehow  I  felt  I  was  about  to  leave  forever.  It  was  in  its 
usual  good  order :  a  cheery,  pretty  room.  The  attendant  sat 
by  the  stove  at  the  farther  end,  comfortably  reading  a  news- 
paper; and  on  the  bed,  turned  toward  the  window,  lay  a 
white,  still  form,  with  the  shadow  of  a  smile  on  the  poor, 
worn  face.  My  brother  drew  me  gently,  and  I  yielded, 
passing  with  him  through  the  window,  out  on  the  veranda, 
and  from  thence,  in  some  unaccountable  way,  down  to  the 
street.  There  I  paused  and  said  earnestly: 

"  I  cannot  leave  Will  and  our  dear  boy." 

"  They  are  not  here,  dear,  but  hundreds  of  miles  away," 
he  answered. 

"  Yes,  I  know,  but  they  will  be  here.  Oh,  Frank,  they 
will  need  me — let  me  stay!"  I  pleaded. 

"  Would  it  not  be  better  if  I  brought  you  back  a  little 
later — after  they  come?"  he  said,  with  a  kind  smile. 

"  Would  you  surely  do  so?"  I  asked. 

"  Most  certainly,  if  you  desire  it.    You  are  worn  out  with 


10  1NTRA   MUROS 

the  long  suffering,  and  a  little  rest  will  give  you  new 
strength." 

I  felt  that  he  was  right,  said  so  in  a  few  words,  and  we 
started  slowly  up  the  street.  He  had  drawn  my  hand  within 
his  arm,  and  endeavored  to  interest  me,  as  we  walked.  But 
my  heart  clung  to  the  dear  ones  whom  I  felt  I  was  not  to 
see  again  on  earth,  and  several  times  I  stopped  and  looked 
wistfully  back  the  way  we  had  come.  He  was  very  patient 
and  gentle  with  me,  waiting  always  till  I  was  ready  to 
proceed  again;  but  at  last  my  hesitation  became  so  great 
that  he  said  pleasantly: 

"  You  are  so  weak  I  think  I  had  better  carry  you ;"  and 
without  waiting  for  a  reply,  he  stooped  and  lifted  me  in  his 
arms,  as  though  I  had  been  a  little  child;  and,  like  a  child, 
I  yielded,  resting  my  head  upon  his  shoulder,  and  laying 
my  arm  about  his  neck.  I  felt  so  safe,  so  content,  to  be  thus 
in  his  care.  It  seemed  so  sweet,  after  the  long,  lonely 
struggle,  to  have  some  one  assume  the  responsibility  of  caring 
thus  tenderly  for  me. 

He  walked  on  with  firm,  swift  steps,  and  I  think  I  must 
have  slept ;  for  the  next  I  knew,  I  was  sitting  in  a  sheltered 
nook,  made  by  flowering  shrubs,  upon  the  softest  and  most 
beautiful  turf  of  grass,  thickly  studded  with  fragrant  flowers, 
many  of  them  the  flowers  I  had  known  and  loved  on  earth. 
1  remember  noticing  heliotrope,  violets,  lilies  of  the  valley, 
and  mignonette,  with  many  others  of  like  nature  wholly  un- 
familiar to  me.  But  even  in  that  first  moment  I  observed 


INTRA   MUROS  11 

how  perfect  in  its  way  was  every  plant  and  flower.  For 
instance,  the  heliotrope,  which  with  us  often  runs  into  long, 
fagged  sprays,  there  grew  upon  short,  smooth  stems,  and  each 
leaf  was  perfect  and  smooth  and  glossy,  instead  of  being 
rough  and  coarse-looking;  and  the  flowers  peeped  up  from 
the  deep  grass,  so  like  velvet,  with  sweet,  happy  faces,  as 
though  inviting  the  admiration  one  could  not  withhold. 

And  what  a  scene  was  that  on  which  I  looked  as  I  rested 
upon  this  soft,  fragrant  cushion,  secluded  and  yet  not  hidden ! 
Away,  away — far  beyond  the  limit  of  my  vision,  I  well 
knew — stretched  this  wonderful  sward  of  perfect  grass 
and  flowers;  and  out  of  it  grew  equally  wonderful  trees, 
whose  drooping  branches  were  laden  with  exquisite  blos- 
soms and  fruits  of  many  kinds.  I  found  myself  thinking  of 
St.  John's  vision  in  the  Isle  of  Patmos,  and  "  the  tree  of  life  " 
that  grew  in  the  midst  of  the  garden,  bearing  "  twelve  man- 
ner of  fruits,  and  whose  leaves  were  for  the  healing  of  the 
nations."  Beneath  the  trees,  in  many  happy  groups,  were 
little  children,  laughing  and  playing,  running  hither  and 
thither  in  their  joy,  and  catching  in  their  tiny  hands  the 
bright-winged  birds  that  flitted  in  and  out  among  them,  as 
though  sharing  in  their  sports,  as  they  doubtless  were.  All 
through  the  grounds,  older  people  were  walking,  sometimes 
in  groups,  sometimes  by  twos,  sometimes  alone,  but  all  with 
an  air  of  peacefulness  and  happiness  that  made  itself  felt  by 
even  me,  a  stranger.  All  were  in  spotless  white,  though 
many  wore  about  them  or  carried  in  their  hands  clusters  of 


12  INTRA    MLROS 

beautiful  flowers.  As  I  looked  upon  their  happy  faces  and 
their  spotless  robes,  again  I  thought,  "  These  are  they  who 
have  washed  their  robes,  and  made  them  white  in  the  blood 
of  the  Lamb." 

Look  where  I  would,  I  saw,  half  hidden  by  the  trees, 
elegant  and  beautiful  houses  of  strangely  attractive  architec- 
ture, that  I  felt  must  be  the  homes  of  the  happy  inhabitants 
of  this  enchanted  place.  I  caught  glimpses  of  sparkling 
fountains  in  many  directions,  and  close  to  my  retreat  flowed 
a  river,  with  placid  breast  and  water  clear  as  crystal.  The 
walks  that  ran  in  many  directions  through  the  grounds  ap- 
peared to  me  to  be,  and  I  afterward  found  were,  of  pearl, 
spotless  and  pure,  bordered  on  either  side  by  narrow  streams 
of  pellucid  water,  running  over  stones  of  gold.  The  one 
thought  that  fastened  itself  upon  me  as  I  looked,  breathless 
and  speechless,  upon  this  scene,  was  "  Purity,  purity!"  No 
shadow  of  dust ;  no  taint  of  decay  on  fruit  or  flower ;  every- 
thing perfect,  everything  pure.  The  grass  and  flowers  looked 
as  though  fresh-washed  by  summer  showers,  and  not  a  single 
blade  was  any  color  but  the  brightest  green.  The  air  was 
soft  and  balmy,  though  invigorating;  and  instead  of  sun- 
light there  was  a  golden  and  rosy  glory  everywhere;  some- 
thing like  the  afterglow  of  a  Southern  sunset  in  midsummer. 

As  I  drew  in  my  breath  with  a  short,  quick  gasp  of  de- 
light, I  heard  my  brother,  who  was  standing  beside  me,  say 
softly,  "Well?"  and,  looking  up,  I  discovered  that  he  was 
watching  me  with  keen  enjoyment.  I  had,  in  my  great  sur- 


1NTRA    MUROS  13 

prise  and  delight,  wholly  forgotten  his  presence.  Recalled  to 
myself  by  his  question,  I  faltered: 

"  Oh,  Frank,  that  I — "  when  such  an  overpowering  sense 
of  God's  goodness  and  my  own  unworthiness  swept  over 
me  that  I  dropped  my  face  into  my  hands,  and  burst  into 
uncontrollable  and  very  human  weeping. 

"  Ah!"  said  my  brother,  in  a  tone  of  self-reproach,  "  I  am 
inconsiderate."  And  lifting  me  gently  to  my  feet,  he  said, 
"  Come,  I  want  to  show  you  the  river." 

When  we  reached  the  brink  of  the  river,  but  a  few  steps 
distant,  I  found  that  the  lovely  sward  ran  even  to  the 
water's  edge,  and  in  some  places  I  saw  the  flowers  blooming 
placidly  down  in  the  depths,  among  the  many-colored  pebbles 
with  which  the  entire  bed  of  the  river  was  lined. 

"  I  want  you  to  see  these  beautiful  stones,"  said  my 
brother,  stepping  into  the  water  and  urging  me  to  do  the 
same. 

I  drew  back  timidly,  saying,  "  I  fear  it  is  cold." 

"  Not  in  the  least,"  he  said,  with  a  reassuring  smile. 
"  Come." 

"  Just  as  I  am?"  I  said,  glancing  down  at  my  lovely  robe, 
which,  to  my  great  joy,  I  found  was  similar  to  those  of  the 
dwellers  in  that  happy  place. 

"  Just  as  you  are,"  with  another  reassuring  smile. 

Thus  encouraged,  I,  too,  stepped  into  the  "  gently  flowing 
river,"  and  to  my  great  surprise  found  the  water,  in  both 
temperature  and  density,  almost  identical  with  the  air. 


14  1NTRA   MUROS 

Deeper  and  deeper  grew  the  stream  as  we  passed  on,  until  I 
felt  the  soft,  sweet  ripples  playing  about  my  throat.  As  I 
stopped,  my  brother  said,  "  A  little  farther  still." 

"  It  will  go  over  my  head,"  I  expostulated. 

"Well,  and  what  then?" 

"  I  cannot  breathe  under  the  water — I  will  suffocate." 

An  amused  twinkle  came  into  his  eyes,  though  he  said 
soberly  enough,  "  We  do  not  do  those  things  here." 

I  realized  the  absurdity  of  my  position,  and  with  a  happy 
laugh  said,  "  All  right;  come  on,"  and  plunged  headlong  into 
the  bright  water,  which  soon  bubbled  and  rippled  several 
feet  above  my  head.  To  my  surprise  and  delight,  I  found  I 
could  not  only  breathe,  but  laugh  and  talk,  see  and  hear,  as 
naturally  under  the  water  as  above  it.  I  sat  down  in  the 
midst  of  the  many-colored  pebbles,  and  filled  my  hands  with 
them,  as  a  child  would  have  done.  My  brother  lay  down 
upon  them,  as  he  would  have  done  on  the  green  sward,  and 
laughed  and  talked  joyously  with  me. 

"  Do  this,"  he  said,  rubbing  his  hands  over  his  face,  and 
running  his  fingers  through  his  dark  hair. 

I  did  as  he  told  me,  and  the  sensation  was  delightful.  I 
threw  back  my  loose  sleeves  and  rubbed  my  arms,  then  my 
throat,  and  again  thrust  my  fingers  through  my  long,  loose 
hair,  thinking  at  the  time  what  a  tangle  it  would  be  in  when 
I  left  the  water.  Then  the  thought  came,  as  we  at  last 
arose  to  return,  "  What  are  we  to  do  for  towels?"  for  the 
earth-thoughts  still  clung  to  me ;  and  I  wondered,  too,  if  the 


INTRA    MUROS  15 

lovely  robe  was  not  entirely  spoiled.  But  behold,  as  we 
neared  the  shore  and  my  head  once  more  emerged  from  the 
water,  the  moment  the  air  struck  my  face  and  hair  I  realized 
that  I  would  need  no  towel  or  brush.  My  flesh,  my  hair, 
and  even  my  beautiful  garments,  were  soft  and  dry  as  before 
the  water  touched  them.  The  material  out  of  which  my 
robe  was  fashioned  was  unlike  anything  that  I  had  ever 
seen.  It  was  soft  and  light  and  shone  with  a  faint  luster, 
reminding  me  more  of  silk  crepe  than  anything  I  could  recall, 
only  infinitely  more  beautiful.  It  fell  about  me  in  soft, 
graceful  folds,  which  the  water  seemed  to  have  rendered  even 
more  lustrous  than  before. 

"What  marvelous  water!  What  wonderful  air!"  I  said 
to  my  brother,  as  we  again  stepped  upon  the  flowery  sward 
"  Are  all  the  rivers  here  like  this  one?" 

"  Not  just  the  same,  but  similar,"  he  replied. 

We  walked  on  a  few  steps,  and  then  I  turned  and  looked 
back  at  the  shining  river  flowing  on  tranquilly.  "  Frank, 
what  has  that  water  done  for  me  ?"  I  said.  "  I  feel  as  though 
I  could  fly." 

He  looked  at  me  with  earnest,  tender  eyes,  as  he  answered 
gently,  "  It  has  washed  away  the  last  of  the  earth-life,  and 
fitted  you  for  the  new  life  upon  which  you  have  entered." 

"  It  is  divine!"  I  whispered. 

"  Yes,  it  is  divine,"  he  said. 


CHAPTER  II. 

O  City  of  Peace!  in  thy  palaces  fair 

Loved  faces  and  forms  we  can  see; 
And  sweet  voices  float  to  us  thro'  the  calm  air 

That  whisper,  "  We're  watching  for  thee!" 

WE  walked  on  for  some  distance  in  silence,  my  heart 
wrestling  with  the  thoughts  of  the  new,  strange  life, 
my  eyes  drinking  in  fresh  beauty  at  every  step.  The 
houses,  as  we  approached  and  passed  them,  seemed  wondrous- 
ly  beautiful  to  me.  They  were  built  of  the  finest  marbles, 
encircled  by  broad  verandas,  the  roofs  or  domes  supported  by 
massive  or  delicate  pillars  or  columns;  and  winding  steps  led 
down  to  the  pearl  and  golden  walks.  The  style  of  the 
architecture  was  unlike  anything  I  had  ever  seen,  and  the 
flowers  and  vines  that  grew  luxuriantly  everywhere  surpassed 
in  beauty  even  those  of  my  brightest  dreams.  Happy  faces 
looked  out  from  these  columned  walls,  and  happy  voices  rang 
upon  the  clear  air,  from  many  a  celestial  home. 

"  Frank,  where  are  we  going?"  at  length  I  asked. 

"  Home,  little  sister,"  he  answered  tenderly. 

"  Home?  Have  we  a  home,  my  brother?  Is  it  anything 
like  these?"  I  asked,  with  a  wild  desire  in  my  heart  to  cry 
out  for  joy. 

"  Come  and  see,"  was  his  only  answer,  as  he  turned  into 
a  side  path  leading  toward  an  exquisitely  beautiful  house 
whose  columns  of  very  light  gray  marble  shone  through  the 

17 


18  INTRA   MUROS 

green  of  the  overhanging  trees  with  most  inviting  beauty. 
Before  I  could  join  him,  I  heard  a  well-remembered  voice 
saying  close  beside  me: 

"  I  just  had  to  be  the  first  to  bid  you  welcome!"  and  look- 
ing around,  I  saw  the  dearly-beloved  face  of  my  old-time 
friend,  Mrs.  Wickham. 

"  Oh !    Oh !"  I  cried,  as  we  met  in  a  warm  embrace. 

"  You  will  forgive  me,  Col.  Sprague,"  she  said  a  moment 
later,  giving  her  hand  cordially  to  my  brother.  "  It  seems 
unpardonable  to  intercept  you  thus,  in  almost  the  first  hour, 
but  I  heard  that  she  was  coming,  and  I  could  not  wait.  But 
now  that  I  have  looked  upon  her  face,  and  heard  her  dear 
voice,  I  will  be  patient  till  I  can  have  her  for  a  long,  long 
talk." 

"  You  must  come  in  and  see  her  now,"  said  my  brother 
cordially. 

"  Do,  do  come!"  I  urged. 

"  No,  dear  friends,  not  now.  You  know,  dear  little  Blos- 
som," (the  old  pet  name  for  me  years  ago)  "  we  have  all 
eternity  before  us!  But  you  will  bring  her  to  me  soon,  Col. 
Sprague?"  she  said. 

"  Just  as  soon  as  I  may,  dear  madam,"  he  replied,  with 
an  expressive  look  into  her  eyes. 

"  Yes,  I  understand,"  she  said  softly,  with  a  sympathetic 
glance  at  me.  Then  with  a  warm  hand-clasp,  and  the  part- 
ing injunction,  "  Come  very  soon,"  she  passed  swiftly  out 
of  my  sight. 


INTRA    MUROS  W 

"Blessed  woman!"   I   said,  "what  a  joy  to  meet  her 


again 


"  Her  home  is  not  far  away ;  you  can  often  see  her.  She 
is  indeed  a  lovely  woman.  Now,  come,  little  sister,  I  long 
to  give  you  welcome  to  our  home,"  saying  which,  he  took  my 
hand  and  led  me  up  the  low  steps  on  to  the  broad  veranda, 
with  its  beautiful  inlaid  floor  of  rare  and  costly  marbles,  and 
its  massive  columns  of  gray,  between  which,  vines  covered 
with  rich,  glossy  leaves  of  green  were  intermingled  with 
flowers  of  exquisite  color  and  delicate  perfume  hanging  in 
heavy  festoons.  We  paused  a  moment  here,  that  I  might  see 
the  charming  view  presented  on  every  side. 

"  It  is  heavenly!"  I  said. 

"  It  is  heavenly,"  he  answered.  "  It  could  not  be  other- 
wise." 

I  Smiled  my  acknowledgment  of  this  truth — my  heart  was 
too  full  for  words. 

"  The  entire  house,  both  below  and  above,  is  surrounded 
by  these  broad  verandas.  But  come  within." 

He  led  me  through  a  doorway,  between  the  marble 
columns,  into  a  large  reception  hall,  whose  inlaid  floor, 
mullioned  window,  and  broad,  low  stairway  at  the 
far  end,  at  once  held  my  fancy.  Before  I  could 
speak,  my  brother  turned  to  me,  and,  taking  both  my  hands, 
said : 

"  Welcome,  a  thousand  welcomes,  dearest  sister,  to  your 
heavenly  home!" 


20  INTRA    MUROS 

"  Is  this  beautiful  place  indeed  to  be  my  home?"  I  asked, 
as  well  as  my  emotion  would  allow. 

"  Yes,  dear,"  he  replied.  "  I  built  it  for  you  and  my 
brother,  and  I  assure  you  it  has  been  a  labor  of  love." 

"  It  is  your  home,  and  I  am  to  stay  with  you?"  I  said,  a 
little  confused. 

"  No,  it  is  your  home,  and  I  am  to  stay  with  you  till  my 
brother  comes." 

"Always,  dear  brother,  always!"  I  cried,  clinging  to  his 
arm. 

He  smiled  and  said,  "We  will  enjoy  the  present;  we 
never  will  be  far  apart  again.  But  come,  I  am  eager  to 
show  you  all." 

Turning  to  the  left,  he  led  me,  still  through  the  beautiful 
marble  columns  that  everywhere  seemed  substituted  for  door- 
ways, into  a  large,  oblong  room,  upon  whose  threshold  I 
stopped  in  wondering  delight.  The  entire  walls  and  floor 
of  the  room  were  still  of  that  exquisite  light  gray  marble, 
polished  to  the  greatest  luster ;  but  over  walls  and  floors  were 
strewn  exquisite,  long-stemmed  roses,  of  every  variety  and 
color,  from  the  deepest  crimson  to  the  most  delicate  shades 
of  pink  and  yellow. 

"  Come  inside,"  said  my  brother. 

"  I  do  not  wish  to  crush  those  perfect  flowers,"  I 
answered. 

"  Well,  then,  suppose  we  gather  some  of  them." 

I  stooped  to  take  one  from  the  floor  close  to  my  feet,  when 


INTRA   MUROS  21 

lo!  I  found  it  was  imbedded  in  the  marble.  I  tried  another 
with  the  same  astonishing  result,  then  turning  to  my  brother, 
I  said: 

"  What  does  it  mean  ?  You  surely  do  not  tell  me  that 
none  of  these  are  natural  flowers?" 

He  nodded  his  head  with  a  pleased  smile,  then  said :  "  This 
room  has  a  history.  Come  in  and  sit  with  me  here  upon 
this  window-seat,  where  you  can  see  the  whole  room,  and  let 
me  tell  you  about  it."  I  did  as  he  desired,  and  he  continued : 
"  One  day  as  I  was  busily  working  upon  the  house,  a  com- 
pany of  young  people,  boys  and  girls,  came  to  the  door,  and 
asked  if  they  might  enter.  I  gladly  gave  assent,  and  then 
one  of  them  said : 

"  '  Is  this  house  really  for  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Sprague?' 
'  It  is,'  I  answered. 

"  '  We  used  to  know  and  love  them.  They  are  our 
friends,  and  the  friends  of  our  parents,  and  we  want  to  know 
if  we  may  not  do  something  to  help  you  make  it  beautiful  ?' 

"  '  Indeed  you  may,'  I  said,  touched  by  the  request.  '  What 
can  you  do?' 

"  We  were  here  at  the  time,  and  looking  about,  one  of 
them  asked,  '  May  we  beautify  this  room?' 

" '  Undoubtedly,'  I  said,  wondering  what  they  would 
try  to  do. 

"  At  once  the  girls,  all  of  whom  had  immense  bunches  of 
roses  in  their  hands,  began  to  throw  the  flowers  broadcast 
over  the  floor  and  against  the  walls.  Wherever  they  struck 


22  INTRA   MUROS 

the  walls,  they,  to  even  my  surprise,  remained,  as  though  in 
some  way  permanently  attached.  When  the  roses  had  all 
been  scattered,  the  room  looked  just  as  it  does  now,  only 
the  flowers  were  really  fresh-gathered  roses.  Then  the  boys 
each  produced  a  small  case  of  delicate  tools,  and  in  a  moment 
all,  boys  and  girls,  were  down  upon  the  marble  floor  and 
busy  at  work.  How  they  did  it  I  do  not  know — it  is  one 
of  the  celestial  arts,  taught  to  those  of  highly  artistic  tastes 
— but  they  embedded  each  living  flower  just  where  and  as  it 
had  fallen,  in  the  marble,  and  preserved  it  as  you  see  before 
you.  They  came  several  times  before  the  work  was  com- 
pleted, for  the  flowers  do  not  wither  here,  nor  fade,  but  were 
always  fresh  and  perfect.  And  such  a  merry,  happy  com- 
pany of  young  people,  I  never  saw  before.  They  laughed 
and  chatted  and  sang,  as  they  worked ;  and  I  could  not  help 
wishing  more  than  once  that  the  friends  whom  they  had  left 
mourning  for  them  might  look  in  upon  this  happy  group, 
and  see  how  little  cause  they  had  for  sorrow.  At  last  when 
all  was  complete,  they  called  me  to  see  their  work,  and  I 
was  not  chary  of  my  praises  either  for  the  beauty  of  the 
work  or  for  their  skill  in  performing  it.  Then,  saying  they 
would  be  sure  to  return  when  either  of  you  came,  they  went 
away  together,  to  do  something  of  the  kind  elsewhere,  I 
doubt  not." 

Happy  tears  had  been  dropping  upon  my  hands,  clasped 
idly  in  my  lap,  during  much  of  this  narrative,  and  now  I 
asked  half-brokenly,  for  I  was  greatly  touched: 


INTRA    MUROS  23 

"Who  were  these  lovely  people,  Frank?  Do  you  know 
them?" 

"  Of  course,  I  know  them  now ;  but  they  were  all 
strangers  to  me  till  they  came  here  that  first  morning,  except 
Lulu  Sprague." 

"Who  are  they?" 

"  There  were  three  Marys — Mary  Green,  Mary  Bates, 
Mary  Chalmers;  Lulu  Sprague  and  Mae  Camden.  These 
were  the  girls,  each  lovely  and  beautiful.  The  boys,  all 
manly,  fine  fellows,  were  Carroll  Ashland,  Stanley  and 
David  Chalmers." 

"  Precious  children!"  I  said.  "  How  little  I  thought  my 
love  for  them,  in  the  olden  days,  would  ever  bring  to  me 
this  added  happiness  here!  How  little  we  know  of  the 
links  binding  the  two  worlds!" 

"  Ah,  yes!"  said  my  brother,  "  that  is  just  it.  How  little 
we  know!  If  only  we  could  realize  while  we  are  yet 
mortals,  that  day  by  day  we  are  building  for  eternity,  how 
different  our  lives  in  many  ways  would  be!  Every  gentle 
word,  every  generous  thought,  every  unselfish  deed,  will 
become  a  pillar  of  eternal  beauty  in  the  life  to  come.  We 
cannot  be  selfish  and  unloving  in  one  life,  and  generous  and 
loving  in  the  next;  the  two  lives  are  too  closely  blended — 
one  but  a  continuation  of  the  other.  But  come  now  to  the 
library." 

Rising,  we  crossed  the  room  that  henceforward  was  to 
hold  for  me  such  tender  associations,  and  entered  the  library. 


24  IXTRA   MVROS 

It  was  a  glorious  apartment — the  walls  lined  from  ceiling 
to  floor  with  rare  and  costly  books.  A  large,  stained-glass 
window  opened  upon  the  front  veranda,  and  two  large  bow- 
windows,  not  far  apart,  were  in  the  back  of  the  room.  A 
semicircular  row  of  shelves,  supported  by  very  delicate 
pillars  of  gray  marble,  about  six  feet  high,  extended  some 
fifteen  feet  into  the  spacious  main  room  and  cut  it  into  two 
sections  lengthwise,  each  with  one  of  the  bowed  windows  in 
the  back,  leaving  still  a  large  space  beyond  the  dividing  line, 
where  the  two  sections  united  again  into  one.  The  concave 
side  of  the  semicircle  of  shelves  was  toward  the  entrance  of 
the  room ;  and  close  to  it,  not  far  removed  from  the  bowed 
window,  stood  a  beautiful  writing-desk,  with  everything 
ready  for  use;  and  upon  it  was  a  chaste  golden  bowl,  filled 
with  scarlet  carnations,  of  whose  spicy  odor  I  had  been  dimly 
conscious  for  some  time. 

"  My  brother's  desk,"  said  Frank. 

"  And  his  favorite  flowers,"  I  added. 

"  Yes,  that  follows.  Here  we  never  forget  the  tastes  and 
preferences  of  those  we  love." 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  these  details  were  at  once 
noticed  by  me,  but  they  unfolded  to  me  gradually  as  we 
lingered,  talking  together.  My  first  sensation  upon  entering 
the  room  was  genuine  surprise  at  the  sight  of  the  books,  and 
my  first  words  were: 

"  Why,  have  we  books  in  heaven  ?" 

"Why  not?"  asked  my  brother.     "What  strange  ideas 


1NTRA   MUROS  25 

we  mortals  have  of  the  pleasures  and  duties  of  this  blessed 
life!  We  seem  to  think  that  death  of  the  body  means  an 
entire  change  to  the  soul.  But  that  is  not  the  case,  by  any 
means.  We  bring  to  this  life  the  same  tastes,  the  same 
desires,  the  same  knowledge,  we  had  before  death.  If  these 
were  not  sufficiently  pure  and  good  to  form  a  part  of  this 
life,  then  we  ourselves  may  not  enter.  What  would  be  the 
use  of  our  ofttimes  long  lives,  given  to  the  pursuit  of  certain 
worthy  and  legitimate  knowledge,  if  at  death  it  all  counts 
as  nothing,  and  we  begin  this  life  on  a  wholly  different  line 
of  thought  and  study  ?  No,  no ;  would  that  all  could  under- 
stand, as  I  said  before,  that  we  are  building  for  eternity 
during  our  earthly  life!  The  purer  the  thoughts,  the  nobler 
the  ambitions,  the  loftier  the  aspirations,  the  higher  the  rank 
we  take  among  the  hosts  of  heaven ;  the  more  earnestly  we 
follow  the  studies  and  duties  in  our  life  of  probation,  the 
better  fitted  we  shall  be  to  carry  them  forward,  on  and  on 
to  completion  and  perfection  here." 

"  But  the  books — who  writes  them?  Are  any  of  them 
books  we  knew  and  loved  below?" 

"  Undoubtedly,  many  of  them;  all,  indeed,  that  in  any 
way  helped  to  elevate  the  human  mind  or  immortal  soul. 
Then,  many  of  the  rarest  minds  in  the  earth-life,  upon 
entering  on  this  higher  life,  gain  such  elevated  and  extended 
views  of  the  subjects  that  have  been  with  them  lifelong 
studies,  that,  pursuing  them  with  zest,  they  write  out  for  the 
benefit  of  those  less  gifted,  the  higher,  stronger  views  they 


26  INTRA   MUROS 

have  themselves  acquired,  thus  remaining  leaders  and 
teachers  in  this  rarer  life,  as  they  were  while  yet  in  the 
world.  Is  it  to  be  expected  that  the  great  soul  who  has  so 
recently  joined  our  ranks,  whose  '  Changed  Life  '  and  '  Pax 
Vobiscum  '  uplifted  so  many  lives  while  on  earth,  should 
lay  his  pen  aside  when  his  clear  brain  and  great  heart  have 
read  the  mystery  of  the  higher  knowledge?  Not  so.  When 
he  has  conned  his  lessons  well,  he  will  write  them  out  for  the 
benefit  of  others,  less  gifted,  who  must  follow.  Leaders 
there  must  always  be,  in  this  divine  life,  as  in  the  former  life 
— leaders  and  teachers  in  many  varied  lines  of  thought.  But 
all  this  knowledge  will  come  to  you  simply  and  naturally 
as  you  grow  into  the  new  life." 


CHAPTER  III. 

When  I  shall  meet  with  those  that  I  have  loved, 
Clasp  in  my  arms  the  dear  ones  long  removed, 
And  find  how  faithful  Thou  to  me  hast  proved, 
I  shall  be  satisfied. 

— [Horatius  Bonar. 

AFTER  a  short  rest  in  this  lovely  room  among  the 
books,  my  brother  took  me  through  all  the  remaining 
rooms  of  the  house ;  each  perfect  and  beautiful  in  its 
way,  and  each  distinctly  and  imperishably  photographed  upon 
my  memory.     Of  only  one  other  will  I  speak  at  this  time. 
As  he  drew  aside  the  gauzy  gray  draperies,  lined  with  the 
most    delicate    shade   of    amber,    which    hung    before    the 
columned  doorway  of  a  lovely  room  on  the  second   floor 
of  the  house,  he  said : 

"  Your  own  special  place  for  rest  and  study." 
The  entire  second  story  of  the  house,  indoors,  instead  of 
being  finished  in  gray  marble,  as  was  the  first  floor,  was 
finished  with  inlaid  woods  of  fine,  satiny  texture  and  rare 
polish ;  and  the  room  we  now  entered  was  exquisite  both  in 
design  and  finish.  It  was  oblong  in  shape,  with  a  large 
bowed  window  at  one  end,  similar  to  those  in  the  library,  a 
portion  of  which  was  directly  beneath  this  room.  Within 
this  window,  on  one  side,  stood  a  writing  desk  of  solid  ivory, 
with  silver  appointments;  and  opposite  was  a  case  of  well- 
filled  bookshelves  of  the  same  material.  Among  the  books 

27 


28  INTRA    MUROS 

I  found  afterward  many  of  my  favorite  authors.  Rich  rugs, 
silver-gray  in  color,  lay  scattered  over  the  floor,  and  all  the 
hangings  in  the  room  were  of  the  same  delicate  hue  and 
texture  as  those  at  the  entrance.  The  framework  of  the 
furniture  was  of  ivory;  the  upholstering  of  chairs  and  otto- 
mans of  silver-gray  cloth,  with  the  finish  of  finest  satin ;  and 
the  pillows  and  covering  of  the  dainty  couch  were  of  the 
same.  A  large  bowl  of  wrought  silver  stood  upon  the  table 
near  the  front  window,  filled  with  pink  and  yellow  roses, 
whose  fragrance  filled  the  air;  and  several  rarely  graceful 
vases  also  were  filled  with  roses.  The  entire  apartment  was 
beautiful  beyond  description ;  but  I  had  seen  it  many  times 
before  I  was  fully  able  to  comprehend  its  perfect  complete- 
ness. Only  one  picture  hung  upon  the  walls,  and  that  was  a 
life-size  portrait  of  the  Christ,  just  opposite  the  couch.  It 
was  not  an  artist's  conception  of  the  human  Christ,  bowed 
under  the  weight  of  the  sins  of  the  world,  nor  yet  the  thorn- 
crowned  head  of  the  crucified  Savior  of  mankind;  but  the 
likeness  of  the  living  Master,  of  Christ  the  victorious,  of 
Christ  the  crowned.  The  wonderful  eyes  looked  directly 
and  tenderly  into  your  own,  and  the  lips  seemed  to  pro- 
nounce the  benediction  of  peace.  The  ineffable  beauty  of 
the  divine  face  seemed  to  illumine  the  room  with  a  holy 
light,  and  I  fell  upon  my  knees  and  pressed  my  lips  to  the 
sandaled  feet  so  truthfully  portrayed  upon  the  canvas,  while 
my  heart  cried,  "  Master,  beloved  Master  and  Savior!"  It 
was  long  before  I  could  fix  my  attention  on  anything  else; 


INTRA    MUROS  29 

my  whole  being  was  full  of  adoration  and  thanksgiving  for 
the  great  love  that  had  guided  me  into  this  haven  of  rest, 
this  wonderful  home  of  peace  and  joy. 

After  some  time  spent  in  this  delightful  place,  we  passed 
through  the  open  window  on  to  the  marble  terrace.  A 
stairway  of  artistically  finished  marble  wound  gracefully 
down  from  this  terrace  to  the  lawn  beneath  the  trees,  no 
pathway  of  any  kind  approaching  at  its  foot — only  the 
flowery  turf.  The  fruit-laden  branches  of  the  trees  hung 
within  easy  reach  from  the  terrace,  and  I  noticed  as  I  stood 
there  that  morning  seven  varieties.  One  kind  resembled  our 
fine  Bartlett  pear,  only  much  larger,  and  infinitely  more 
delicious  to  the  taste,  as  I  soon  found.  Another  variety  was 
in  clusters,  the  fruit  also  pear-shaped,  but  smaller  than  the 
former,  and  of  a  consistency  and  flavor  similar  to  the  finest 
frozen  cream.  A  third,  something  like  a  banana  in  shape, 
they  called  bread-fruit;  it  was  not  unlike  our  dainty  finger- 
rolls  to  the  taste.  It  seemed  to  me  at  the  time,  and  really 
proved  to  be  so,  that  in  variety  and  excellence,  food  for  the 
most  elegant  repast  was  here  provided  without  labor  or 
care.  My  brother  gathered  some  of  the  different  varieties 
and  bade  me  try  them.  I  did  so  with  much  relish  and  re- 
freshment. Once  the  rich  juice  from  the  pearlike  fruit 
(whose  distinctive  name  I  have  forgotten,  if  indeed  I  ever 
knew  it,)  ran  out  profusely  over  my  hands  and  the  front  of 
my  dress  "  Oh !"  I  cried,  "  I  have  ruined  my  dress, 
If  earl" 


30  INTRA   MUROS 

My  brother  laughed  genially,  as  he  said,  "  Show  me  the 
stains." 

To  my  amazement  not  a  spot  could  I  find. 

"  Look  at  your  hands,"  he  said. 

I  found  them  clean  and  fresh,  as  though  just  from  the 
bath. 

"  What  does  it  mean  ?  My  hands  were  covered  with  the 
thick  juice  of  the  fruit." 

"  Simply,"  he  answered,  "  that  no  impurity  can  remain 
for  an  instant  in  this  air.  Nothing  decays,  nothing  tarnishes, 
or  in  any  way  disfigures  or  mars  the  universal  purity  or 
beauty  of  the  place.  As  fast  as  the  fruit  ripens  and  falls,  all 
that  is  not  immediately  gathered  at  once  evaporates,  not  even 
the  seed  remaining." 

I  had  noticed  that  no  fruit  lay  beneath  the  trees — this, 
then,  was  the  reason  for  it. 

"  '  And  there  shall  in  no  wise  enter  into  it  anything  that 
de&eth,'  "  I  quoted  thoughtfully. 

"  Yes,  even  so,"  he  answered ;  H  even  so." 

We  descended  the  step*  and  again  entered  the  "  flower- 
room."  As  I  stood  once  mor«  admiring  the  inlaid  roses, 
my  brother  a^ked : 

N  Whom,  of  all  the  friends  you  have  in  h«even,  do  you 
most  wish  to  see?" 

"  My  father  and  mother,"  I  answered  quickly. 

He  smiled  so  significantly  that  I  hastily  turned,  and  there, 
advancing  up  the  long  room  to  meet  me,  I  saw  my  dear 


INTRA   MUROS  31 

father  and  mother,  and  with  them  my  youngest  sister.  With 
a  cry  of  joy,  I  flew  into  my  father's  outstretched  arms,  and 
heard,  with  a  thrill  of  joy,  his  dear,  familiar  "  My  precious 
little  daughter!" 

"  At  last !  at  last !"  I  cried,  clinging  to  him.  "  At  last  I 
have  you  again!" 

"At  last!"  he  echoed,  with  a  deep-drawn  breath  of  joy. 
Then  he  resigned  me  to  my  dear  mother,  and  we  were  soon 
clasped  in  each  other's  embrace. 

"My  precious  mother!"  "My  dear,  dear  child!"  we 
cried  simultaneously;  and  my  sister  enfolding  us  both  in  her 
arms,  exclaimed  with  a  happy  laugh,  "  I  can  not  wait!  I 
will  not  be  left  outside!"  and  disengaging  one  arm,  I  threw 
it  about  her  into  the  happy  circle  of  our  united  love. 

Oh,  what  an  hour  was  that!  I  did  not  dream  that  even 
heaven  could  hold  such  joy.  After  a  time  my  brother,  who 
had  shared  our  joy,  said: 

"  Now,  I  can  safely  leave  you  for  a  few  hours  to  this 
blessed  reunion,  for  I  have  other  work  before  me." 

"  Yes,"  said  my  father,  "  you  must  go.  We  will  with 
joy  take  charge  of  our  dear  child." 

"  Then  for  a  brief  while  good-by,"  said  my  brother  kindly. 
"  Do  not  forget  that  rest,  especially  to  one  but  recently 
entered  upon  the  new  life,  is  not  only  one  of  the  pleasures, 
but  one  of  the  duties  of  heaven." 

"  Yes,  we  will  see  that  she  does  not  forget  that,"  said  my 
father,  with  a  kindly  smile  and  glance. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


O  joys  that  are  gone,  will  you  ever  return 

To  gladden  our  hearts  as  of  yore? 
Will  we  find  you  awaiting  us,  some  happy  morn, 

When  we  drift  to  Eternity's  shore? 
Will  dear  eyes  meet  our  own,  as  in  days  that  are  past? 

Will  we  thrill  at  the  touch  of  a  hand? 
O  joys  that  are  gone,  will  we  find  you  at  last 

Ou  the  shores  of  that  wonderful  land? 


SOON  after  my  brother's  departure  my  mother  said, 
grasping  my  hand : 

"  Come,  I  am  eager  to  have  you  in  our  own  home;" 
and  we  all  passed  out  of  the  rear  entrance,  walked  a  few 
hundred  yards  across  the  soft  turf,  and  entered  a  lovely 
home,  somewhat  similar  to  our  own,  yet  still  unlike  it  in 
many  details.  It  also  was  built  of  marble,  but  darker  than 
that  of  my  brother's  home.  Every  room  spoke  of  modest  re- 
finement and  cultivated  taste,  and  the  home  air  about  it  was 
at  once  delightfully  perceptible.  My  father's  study  was  on 
the  second  floor,  and  the  first  thing  I  noticed  on  entering 
was  the  luxuriant  branches  and  flowers  of  an  old-fashioned 
hundred-leafed  rose  tree,  that  covered  the  window  by  his 
desk. 

"  Ah !"  I  cried,  "  I  can  almost  imagine  myself  in  your  old 
study  at  home,  when  I  look  at  that  window." 

"  Is  it  not  a  reminder?"  he  said,  laughing  happily.     "  I 

83 


34  INTRA   MUROS 

almost  think  sometimes  it  is  the  same  dear  old  bush,  trans- 
planted here." 

"  And  it  is  still  your  favorite  flower?"  I  queried. 

He  nodded  his  head,  and  said,  smiling: 

"  I  see  you  remember  still  the  childhood  days."  And  he 
patted  my  cheek  as  I  gathered  a  rose  and  fastened  it  upon  his 
breast. 

"  It  seems  to  me  this  ought  to  be  your  home,  dear ;  it  is 
our  father's  home,"  said  my  sister  wistfully. 

"  Nay,"  my  father  quickly  interposed.  "  Col.  Sprague  is 
her  legitimate  guardian  and  instructor.  It  is  a  wise  and 
admirable  arrangement.  He  is  in  every  way  the  most  suit- 
able instructor  she  could  possibly  have.  Our  Father  never 
errs." 

"  Is  not  my  brother's  a  lovely  character?"  I  asked. 

"  Lovely  indeed ;  and  he  stands  very  near  to  the  Master. 
Few  have  a  clearer  knowledge  of  the  Divine  Will,  hence 
few  are  better  fitted  for  instructors.  But  I,  too,  have  duties 
that  call  me  for  a  time  away.  How  blessed  to  know  there 
can  never  again  be  long  separations!  You  will  have  two 
homes  now,  dear  child — your  own  and  ours." 

"  Yes,  yes !"  I  saki.  "  I  shall  be  here,  I  suspect,  almost 
as  much  as  there." 

At  this  moment  a  swift  messenger  approached  my  father 
and  spoke  a  few  low  words. 

"  Yes,  I  shall  go  at  once,"  he  replied,  and,  waving  his  hand 
in  adieu,  departed  with  the  angelic  guide. 


1NTRA   MUROS  35 

"  Where  do  my  father's  duties  mostly  lie  ?"  I  asked  my 
mother. 

"  He  is  called  usually  to  those  who  enter  life  with  little 
preparation — that  which  on  earth  we  call  death-bed  repent- 
ance. You  know  what  wonderful  success  he  always  had  in 
winning  souls  to  Christ;  and  these  poor  spirits  need  to  be 
taught  from  the  very  beginning.  They  enter  the  spirit-life  in 
its  lowest  phase,  and  it  is  your  father's  pleasant  duty  to  lead 
them  upward  step  by  step.  He  is  devoted  to  his  work  and 
greatly  beloved  by  those  he  thus  helps.  He  often  allows  me 
to  accompany  him  and  labor  with  him,  and  that  is  such 
a  pleasure  to  me!  And  do  you  know  " — with  an  indescrib- 
able look  of  happiness — "  I  forget  nothing  now!" 

It  had  been  her  great  burden,  for  some  years  before  her 
death,  that  memory  failed  her  sadly,  and  I  could  understand 
and  sympathize  with  her  present  delight. 

"Dear  heart!"  I  cried,  folding  my  arms  tenderly  about 
her,  "  then  it  is  like  the  early  years  of  your  married  lif« 
again  ?" 

"  Precisely,"  she  answered  joyously. 

A  little  later  my  sister  drew  me  tenderly  aside  and  whis- 
pered, "  Tell  me  of  my  boy,  of  my  precious  son.  I  often  see 
him;  but  we  are  not  permitted  to  know  as  much  always  of 
the  earthly  life  as  we  once  believed  we  should.  The  Father's 
tender  wisdom  metes  out  to  us  the  knowledge  he  sees  is  best, 
and  we  are  content  to  wait  his  time  for  more.  All  you  can 
tell  would  not  be  denied  me.  Is  he  surely,  surely  coming  to 


36  INTRA    MUROS 

me  sometime?     Shall  I   held  him  again  in  my  arms,  my 
darling  boy?" 

"  I  am  sure — yes,  I  am  sure  you  will.  Your  memory  is 
very  precious  to  him." 

Then  I  told  her  all  I  could  recall  of  the  son  with  whom 
she  had  parted  while  he  was  but  a  child— now  grown  to 
man's  estate,  honored  and  loved,  with  home  and  wife  and  son 
to  comfort  and  bless  him. 

"  Then  I  can  wait,"  she  said,  "  if  he  is  sure  to  come  to 
me  at  last,  when  his  earthly  work  is  done,  bringing  his  wife 
and  son.  How  I  shall  love  them,  too!" 

At  this  moment  I  felt  myself  encircled  by  tender  arms,  and 
a  hand  was  gently  laid  on  my  eyes. 

"  Who  is  it  ?"  some  one  whispered  softly. 
"Oh,    I    know   the   voice,   the   touch! — dearest,    dearest 
Nell!"  I  cried,  and,  turning  quickly,  threw  my  arms  about 
the  neck  of  my  only  brother. 

He  gathered  me  a  moment  warmly  to  his  heart,  then  in  his 
old-time  playful  way  lifted  me  quite  off  my  feet  in  his  strong 
arms,  saying: 

"  She  has  not  grown  an  inch ;  and  is  not,  I  believe,  a  day 
older  than  when  we  last  parted!  Is  she,  Joe?"  turning  to 
our  sister. 

"  It  does  not  seem  so,"  said  my  sister,  "  but  I  thought  she 
would  never  come." 

"  Trust  her  for  that !"  he  said.  "  But  come,  now ;  they 
have  had  you  long  enough  for  the  first  visit;  the  rest  of  us 


INTRA    MUROS  37 

want  you  for  awhile.  Come  with  us,  Jodie.  Mother,  I  may 
have  them  both  for  a  little  time,  may  I  not?  or  will  you 
come,  too?"  turning  to  our  mother  with  a  caressing 
touch. 

"  I  cannot  go,  dear  boy ;  I  must  be  here  when  your  father 
returns.  Take  your  sisters ;  it  is  a  blessed  sight  to  see  you  all 
again  together." 

"  Come  then,"  he  said ;  and,  each  taking  one  of  my  hands, 
we  went  out  together. 

"  Halt!"  he  suddenly  called,  in  his  old-time  military 
fashion,  after  a  short  walk,  and  we  stopped  abruptly  in 
front  of  a  dainty  house  built  of  the  finest  polished  woods.  It 
was  beautiful  both  in  architecture  and  finish. 

"  How  lovely !"  I  cried ;  and  with  a  bow  of  charming 
humility  he  said: 

"  The  home  of  your  humble  servant.    Enter." 

I  paused  a  moment  on  the  wide  veranda  to  examine  a 
vine,  wreathed  about  the  graceful  columns  of  highly-polished 
wood,  and  my  brother  laughingly  said  to  my  sister: 

"  She  is  the  same  old  Sis!  We  will  not  get  much  good  out 
of  her  until  she  has  learned  the  name  of  every  flower,  vine 
and  plant  in  heaven." 

"  Yes,  you  will,"  I  said,  shaking  my  head  at  his  happy- 
face,  "  but  I  mean  to  utilize  you  whenever  I  can ;  I  have  so 
much  to  learn." 

"  So  you  shall,  dear,"  he  answered  gently.  "  But  come  in." 

Stepping  inside  a  lovely  vestibule,  out  of  which  opened, 


38  INTRA   MUROS 

from  every  side,  spacious  rooms,  he  called  softly  "  Alma !" 
At  once  from  one  of  these,  a  fair  woman  approached  us. 

"  My  dear  child !"  I  said,  "  it  does  not  seem  possible !  You 
were  but  a  child  when  I  last  saw  you." 

"  She  is  still  her  father's  girl,"  said  my  brother,  with  a 
fond  look.  "  She  and  Carrie,  whom  you  never  saw,  make  a 
blessed  home  for  me.  Where  is  your  sister,  daughter?" 

"  She  is  at  the  great  music-hall.  She  has  a  very  rich  voice 
that  she  is  cultivating,"  Alma  said,  turning  to  me.  "  We 
were  going  to  find  our  aunt  when  she  returned,"  she  added. 

"  True,  true,"  said  my  brother;  "  but  come." 

Then  they  showed  me  the  lovely  home,  perfect  and  charm- 
ing in  every  detail.  When  we  came  out  upon  a  side  veranda, 
I  saw  we  were  so  near  an  adjoining  house  that  we  could 
easily  step  from  one  veranda  to  the  other. 

"There!"  said  my  brother,  lightly  lifting  me  over  the 
intervening  space.  "  There  is  some  one  here  you  will  wish 
to  see."  Before  I  could  question  him,  he  led  me  through  the 
columned  doorway,  saying,  "  People  in  heaven  are  never 
4  not  at  home  '  to  their  friends." 

The  house  we  entered  was  almost  identical  in  construction 
and  finish  with  that  of  my  brother  Nell,  and,  as  we  entered, 
three  persons  came  eagerly  forward  to  greet  me. 

"  Dear  Aunt  Gray!"  I  cried.  "  My  dear  Mary — my  dear 
Martin !  What  a  joy  to  meet  you  again !" 

"  And  here,"  said  my  aunt  reverently. 

"  Yes,  here,"  I  answered  in  like  tone. 


INTRA   MUROS  39 

It  was  my  father's  sister,  always  a  favorite  aunt,  with  her 
son  and  his  wife.  How  we  did  talk  and  cling  to  one 
another,  and  ask  and  answer  questions! 

"  Pallas  is  also  here,  and  Will,  but  they  have  gone  with 
Carrie  to  the  music  hall,"  said  Martin. 

"  Martin,  can  you  sing  here?"  I  asked.  He  always  was 
trying  to  sing  on  earth,  but  could  not  master  a  tune. 

"  A  little,"  he  answered,  with  his  old  genial  laugh  and 
shrug;  "  we  can  do  almost  anything  here  that  we  really  try 
to  do." 

"  You  should  hear  him  now,  cousin,  when  he  tries  to 
sing,"  said  his  wife,  with  a  little  touch  of  pride  in  her  voice. 
"  You  would  not  know  it  was  Martin.  But  is  it  not  nice 
to  have  Dr.  Nell  so  near  us?  We  are  almost  one  household, 
you  see.  All  felt  that  we  must  be  together." 

"  It  is  indeed,"  I  answered,  "  although  you  no  longer  need 
him  in  his  professional  capacity." 

"  No,  thanks  to  the  Father ;  but  we  need  him  quite  as 
much  in  many  other  ways." 

"  I  rather  think  I  am  the  one  to  be  grateful,"  said  my 
brother.  "  But,  sister,  I  promised  Frank  that  you  should  go 
to  your  own  room  awhile;  he  thought  it  wise  that  you 
should  be  alone  for  a  time.  Shall  we  go  now?" 

"  I  am  ready,"  I  answered,  "  though  these  delightful  re- 
unions leave  no  desire  for  rest." 

"  How  blessed,"  said  my  aunt,  "  that  there  is  no  limit  here 
to  our  mutual  enjoyment !  We  have  nothing  to  dread,  noth- 


40  1NTRA   MUROS 

ing  to  fear.  We  know  at  parting  that  we  shall  meet  again. 
We  shall  often  see  each  other,  my  child." 

Then  my  brother  went  with  me  to  my  own  home,  and, 
with  a  loving  embrace,  left  me  at  the  door  of  my  room. 

Once  within,  I  lay  down  upon  my  couch  to  think  over  the 
events  of  this  wonderful  day;  but,  looking  upward  at  the 
divine  face  above  me,  I  forgot  all  else,  and,  Christ's  peace  en- 
folding me  like  a  mantle,  I  became  "  as  one  whom  his 
mother  comforteth."  While  I  lay  in  this  blissful  rest,  my 
brother  Frank  returned,  and,  without  rousing  me,  bore  me  in 
his  strong  arms  again  to  earth.  I  did  not  know,  when  he 
left  us  in  our  home,  upon  what  mission  he  was  going,  though 
my  father  knew  it  was  to  return  to  my  dear  husband  and 
accompany  him  upon  his  sad  journey  to  his  dead  wife;  to 
comfort  and  sustain  and  strengthen  him  in  those  first  lonely 
hours  of  sorrow.  They  deemed  it  best,  for  wise  reasons,  that 
I  should  wait  awhile  before  returning,  and  taste  the  blessed- 
ness of  the  new  life,  thus  gaining  strength  for  the  trial 
before  me. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Are  they  not  all  ministering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  minister  for 
them  who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation? — Heb.  1:  14. 

How  oft  do  they  their  silver  bowers  leave, 

To  come  to  succor  us  that  succor  want! 
How  oft  do  they  with  golden  pinions  cleave 

The  flitting  skyes,  like  flying  pursuivant, 

Against  fowle  feendes  to  ayd  us  militant! 
They  for  us  fight,  they  watch,  and  dewly  ward. 

And  their  bright  squadrons  round  about  us  plant, 
And  all  for  love,  and  nothing  for  reward; 
O  why  should  heavenly  God  to  men  have  such  regard! 

— [Edmund  Spenser. 

WHEN  I  aroused  from  my  sleep  it  was  in  the  gray 
light  of  earth's  morning,  and  I  was  standing  on  the 
doorstep  of  the  house  in  Kentville  that  my  brother 
and  I  had  left  together,  some  thirty-six  hours  before,  reck- 
oned by  earth-time.     1  shuddered  a  little  with  a  strange 
chill  when  I  saw  where  we  were,  and  turned  quickly  to  my 
brother  Frank,  who  stood  beside  me.    He  put  his  arm  about 
me,  and  with  a  reassuring  smile,  said: 

"  For  their  sakes  be  brave  and  strong,  and  try  to  make 
them  understand  your  blessed  change." 

I  did  not  try  to  answer,  though  I  took  heart,  and  entered 
with  him  into  the  house.  Everything  was  very  quiet — no 
one  seemed  astir.  My  brother  softly  opened  a  door  im- 
mediately to  the  right  of  the  entrance,  and  motioned  me 

41 


42  INTRA   MUROS 

to  enter.  I  did  so,  and  he  closed  it  behind  me,  remaining 
himself  outside. 

Something  stood  in  the  center  of  the  room,  and  I  soon 
discovered  that  it  was  a  pall.  It  was  a  great  relief  to  me  to 
see  that  it  was  not  black,  but  a  soft  shade  of  gray.  Someone 
was  kneeling  beside  it,  and  as  I  slowly  approached  I  saw  it 
was  my  dear  son.  He  was  kneeling  upon  one  knee,  with  his 
elbow  resting  on  the  other  knee,  and  his  face  buried  in  his 
hand.  One  arm  was  thrown  across  the  casket,  as  though 
he  were  taking  a  last  embrace  of  his  "  little  mother."  I  saw 
that  the  form  within  the  casket  lay  as  though  peacefully 
sleeping,  and  was  clad  in  silver  gray,  with  soft  white  folds 
about  the  neck  and  breast.  I  was  grateful  that  they  had 
remembered  my  wishes  so  well. 

I  put  my  arms  about  the  neck  of  my  darling  son,  and  drew 
his  head  gently  against  my  breast,  resting  my  cheek  upon  his 
bowed  head.  Then  I  whispered,  "  Dearest,  I  am  here  be- 
side you — living,  breathing,  strong  and  well.  Will  you  not 
turn  to  me,  instead  of  to  that  lifeless  form  in  the  casket?  It 
is  only  the  worn-out  tenement — I  am  your  living  mother." 

He  lifted  his  head  as  though  listening;  then,  laying  his 
hand  tenderly  against  the  white  face  in  the  casket  he  whis- 
pered, "  Poor,  dear  little  mother!"  and  again  dropped  his 
face  into  both  hands,  while  his  form  shook  with  convulsive 
sobs. 

As  I  strove  to  comfort  him,  the  door  opened  and  his  lovely 
girl-wife  entered.  I  turned  to  meet  her  as  she  came  slowly 


INTRA   MUROS  43 

towards  us.  Midway  in  the  room  we  met,  and,  taking  both 
her  hands  tenderly  in  mine,  I  whispered,  "  Comfort  him, 
darling  girl,  as  only  you  can ;  he  needs  human  love." 

She  paused  a  moment  irresolutely,  looking  directly  into 
my  eyes,  then  passed  on  and  knelt  beside  him,  laying  her  up- 
turned face  against  his  shoulder.  I  saw  his  arm  steal  around 
her  and  draw  her  closely  to  him,  then  I  passed  from  the 
room,  feeling  comforted  that  they  were  together. 

Outside  the  door  I  paused  an  instant,  then,  slowly  ascend- 
ing the  stairs,  I  entered  the  once  familiar  room,  whose  door 
was  standing  ajar.  All  remained  as  when  I  had  left  it,  save 
that  no  still  form  lay  upon  the  white  bed.  As  I  expected,  I 
found  my  precious  husband  in  this  room.  He  sat  near  the 
bay  window,  his  arm  resting  upon  the  table,  and  his  eyes 
bent  sorrowfully  upon  the  floor.  My  heart's  best  friend  sat 
near  him  and  seemed  trying  to  comfort  him.  When  I 
entered  the  room  our  brother  Frank  arose  from  a  chair  close 
beside  h«m  and  passed  out,  with  a  sympathetic  look  at  me. 
I  went  at  once  to  my  dear  husband,  put  my  arms  about  him, 
and  whispered : 

"  Darling!  darling,  I  am  here!" 

He  stirred  restlessly  without  changing  his  position. 

Virginia  said,  as  though  continuing  a  conversation,  "  I 
am  sure  she  would  say  you  left  nothing  undone  that  could 
possibly  be  done  for  her." 

"  She  is  right,"  I  whispered. 

"  Still  she  -was  alone  at  the  last,"  he  moaned. 


44  INTRA    MUROS 

"  Yes,  dear,  but  who  could  know  it  was  the  last  ?  She 
sank  so  suddenly  under  the  pain.  What  can  I  say  to  com- 
fort you?  Oh,  Will,  come  home  with  us!  She  would  want 
you  to,  I  am  sure." 

He  shook  his  head  sadly,  while  the  tears  were  in  his  eyes, 
as  he  said :  "  Work  is  my  only  salvation.  I  must  go  back  in 
a  very  few  days." 

She  said  no  more,  and  he  leaned  back  wearily  in  his  easy- 
chair.  I  crept  more  closely  to  him  and  suddenly  his  arms 
closed  about  me.  I  whispered,  "  There,  dear,  do  you  not  see 
that  I  am  really  with  you  ?" 

He  was  very  still,  and  the  room  was  very  quiet  but  for  the 
ticking  of  my  little  clock  still  standing  upon  the  dressing- 
case.  Presently  I  knew  by  his  regular  breathing  that  he  had 
found  a  short  respite  from  his  sorrow.  I  slipped  gently 
from  his  arms  and  went  to  my  friend,  kneeling  beside  her, 
and  folding  my  arms  about  her. 

"Virginia,  Virginia!  You  know  I  am  not  dead!  Why 
do  you  grieve?" 

She  looked  over  at  the  worn  face  of  the  man  before  her, 
then  dropped  her  face  into  her  hand,  whispering,  as  though 
she  had  heard  me  and  would  answer : 

"  Oh,  Bertha  darling,  how  could  you  leave  him?" 

"  I  am  here,  dearest!     Do  realize  that  I  am  here!" 

She  did  not  heed  me,  but  sat  absorbed  in  sorrowful 
thought. 

A  few  minutes  later  a  stranger  entered  the  room,  and  in 


INTRA   MUROS  45 

a  low  voice  said  something  about  its  being  "  near  train  time," 
and  brought  my  husband  his  hat.  He  arose  and  gave  his  arm 
to  Virginia,  and,  our  son  and  his  wife  meeting  them  at  the 
door,  they  started  to  descend  the  stairs.  Just  then  my  hus- 
band paused  and  cast  one  sorrowful  glance  around  the  room, 
his  face  white  with  pain.  Our  dear  daughter  stepped  quickly 
to  him,  and,  placing  both  arms  about  his  neck,  drew  his  face 
down  to  hers.  ("God  bless  her  in  all  things!"  I  softly 
prayed.)  An  instant  they  stood  thus,  then  stifling  his  emo- 
tion, they  all  passed  down  the  stairs  into  the  room  I  had 
first  entered. 

I  kept  very  close  to  my  dear  husband,  and  never  for  a 
single  instant  left  him  through  all  the  solemn  and  impressive 
services;  through  the  sad  journey  to  our  old  home;  the  last 
rites  at  the  grave;  the  after-meeting  with  friends;  and  his 
final  return  to  the  weary  routine  of  labor.  How  thankful 
I  was  that  I  had  been  permitted  to  taste,  during  that  wonder- 
ful day  in  heaven,  the  joys  of  the  blessed  life!  How  else 
could  1  ever  have  passed  calmly  through  those  trying  scenes, 
and  witnessed  the  sorrow  of  those  so  dear  to  my  heart?  I 
recognize  the  wisdom  and  mercy  of  the  Father  in  having 
so  ordered  it. 

I  soon  found  that  my  husband  was  right;  work  was  his 
great  refugt.  During  the  day  the  routine  of  labor  kept  brain 
and  hands  busy,  leaving  the  heart  but  little  opportunity  to 
indulge  its  sorrow.  Night  was  his  trying  time.  Kind 
friends  would  stay  with  him  till  bedtime;  after  that  he  was 


46  INTRJ   MUROS 

alone.  He  would  turn  restlessly  on  his  pillow,  and  often 
arise  and  go  into  the  adjoining  room  that  had  formerly  been 
mine,  and  gaze  upon  the  vacant  bed  with  tearful  eyes.  It 
took  all  my  powers  to  in  any  degree  soothe  and  quiet  him. 
After  a  time  my  brother  Frank  and  I  arranged  to  spend 
alternate  nights  with  him,  that  he  might  never  be  alone,  and 
especially  were  we  with  him  upon  hi?  journeys.  We  found 
to  our  great  joy  that  our  influence  over  him  was  hourly 
growing  stronger,  and  we  were  able  to  guide  and  help  him 
in  many  ways. 

One  night  as  I  was  silently  watching  beside  him  while  he 
slept,  many  months  after  he  was  alone,  I  became  conscious 
that  evil  threatened  him.  He  was  sleeping  very  peacefully, 
and  I  knew  his  dreams  were  happy  ones  by  the  smile  upon 
his  dear  face.  I  passed  into  the  hall  of  the  hotel  where  he 
was  staying,  and  found  it  dense  with  smoke.  I  hastened 
back  to  him  and  called,  and  tried  to  shake  him,  but  he  slept 
on  peacefully.  Then  I  called  with  all  my  strength,  "  Will !" 
close  to  his  ear. 

Instantly  he  started  up  and  said,  "  Yes,  dear,  I  am  com- 
ing!" just  as  he  used  to  do  when  I  called  at  night.  Then  in 
a  moment  he  sank  back  with  a  sigh  upon  his  pillow,  murmur- 
ing, "  What  a  vivid  dream !  I  never  heard  her  voice  more 
distinctly  in  life." 

"  Will!"  I  again  called,  pulling  him  by  the  hand  with  all 
my  strength,  "  rise  quickly!  Your  life  is  in  danger!" 

In  an  instant  he  was  out  of  bed,  upon  his  feet,  and  hurried- 


INTRA   MUROS  47 

ly  drawing  on  his  clothes.  "  I  am  sure  I  cannot  tell  why  I 
am  doing  this,"  he  muttered  to  himself.  "  I  only  feel  that 
I  must!  That  surely  was  her  voice  I  heard." 

"Hurry!    Hurry!"  I  urged. 

He  opened  the  door  and  met,  not  only  the  smoke,  but 
tongues  of  flame. 

"  Do  not  try  the  stairway — come !"  and  I  drew  him  past 
the  stairway,  and  through  a  narrow  entrance  to  a  second 
hall  beyond,  and  down  a  second  flight  of  stairs,  filled  with 
smoke,  but  as  yet  no  flame.  Another  flight  still  below  these, 
then  into  the  open  air,  where  he  staggered,  faint  and  ex- 
hausted, on  to  the  sidewalk,  and  was  quickly  helped  by 
friends  into  a  place  of  safety. 

"  I  am  sure  I  cannot  tell  what  wakened  me,"  he  afterward 
said  to  a  friend.  "  I  dreamed  I  heard  my  wife  calling  me, 
and  before  I  knew  it  I  was  dressing  myself." 

"  You  did  hear  her,  I  have  no  doubt,"  she  said.  "  Are 
they  not  '  all  ministering  spirits,  sent  forth  to  do  service  for 
the  sake  of  them  that  shall  inherit  salvation'?  What  love- 
lier service  could  she  do  than  to  thus  save  the  life  of  one  so 
dear  to  her,  whose  earth-work  was  not  yet  done?  Yes,  you 
did  hear  her  call  you  in  time  to  escape.  Thank  God  for  such 
ministrations." 

"  Yes,  it  must  be  so,"  he  answered,  with  a  happy  look. 
"  Thank  God  indeed." 

After  this  he  yielded  much  more  readily  to  our  influence, 
and  thus  began  to  enjoy,  while  yet  upon  earth,  the  reunion 


48  1NTRA    MUROS 

that  so  surely  awaited  us  in  the  blessed  life.  I  often  went 
also  to  the  home  of  our  dear  children,  but  there  was  so  much 
to  make  them  happy  that  they  did  not  need  me  as  their 
father  did.  Sometimes  in  hours  of  great  physical  prostration, 
especially  during  the  absence  of  his  wife,  I  found  that  I 
could  quiet  the  overwrought  nerves  of  my  dear  son,  and 
lead  his  tired  mind  to  restful  thoughts;  but  with  youth  and 
strength  and  love  to  support  him,  the  time  had  not  yet  come 
when  my  ministrations  were  essential. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Mauy  friends  that  traveled  with  me 

Reached  Heaven's  portal  long  ago; 
One  by  one  they  left  me  battling 

With  the  dark  and  crafty  foe. 
They  are  watching  at  the  portal, 

They  are  waiting  at  the  door; 
Waiting  only  for  my  coming — 

The  beloved  ones  gone  before. 

— [Mrs.  H.  M.  Reasoner. 

THE  first  time  I  returned  to  the  dear  heavenly  home 
after  my  long  delay  on  earth,  as  I  approached  the 
entrance,  in  the  company  of  my  brother  Frank,  we 
saw  a  tall  young  man  standing  close  by  the  open  gate,  looking 
wistfully  the  way  we  came.  As  we  drew  near,  he  said  in  an 
almost  pathetic  voice: 

"  Is  my  mother  coming?" 

A  closer  scrutiny  revealed  his  identity,  and  I  exclaimed 
with  joy,  extending  both  hands  to  him,  "  My  dear  Carroll!" 

He  smiled  a  bright  welcome  as  he  extended  his  hands, 
but  said  wistfully,  "  I  so  hoped  my  mother  would  return 
with  you,  aunt,  when  you  came  back.  Did  you  see  her  ?" 

"  Once  only,  for  a  brief  moment.  She  is  very  happy  and 
bears  her  years  well.  She  will  come  to  you  now  before  long, 
but  then  you  know  it  will  be  forever." 

"  Yes,  I  know,"  he  answered  brightly.  "  I  will  be  patient. 
But,"  he  added  confidentially,  "  I  so  want  her  to  see  the 

49 


50  INTRA   MUROS 

lovely  home  I  myself  am  building  for  her.  Will  you  come 
and  see  it?" 

"  Of  course  I  will,  gladly." 

"Now?" 

"  Yes,  if  I  may  " ;  looking  at  my  brother  for  his  sanction. 

He  nodded  his  head  pleasantly  as  he  said :  "  That  is  right, 
Carroll.  Have  her  help  you  in  every  way  you  can.  I  will 
leave  you  two  together,  and  you  will  bring  her  to  me  later?" 

"  Indeed,  yes,"  said  my  nephew;  and  we  went  away  hap- 
pily together. 

"  Where  is  this  wonderful  house,  Carroll  ?" 

"  Not  very  far  beyond  Mrs.  Wickham's,"  he  said. 

We  soon  reached  it,  and  I  was  truly  charmed  with  it  in 
every  way.  It  was  fashioned  much  like  my  brother  Nell's 
home,  and  was,  like  it,  built  of  polished  woods.  It  was  only 
partly  finished,  and  was  most  artistically  done.  Although 
uncompleted,  I  was  struck  with  the  fact  that  everything 
was  perfect  so  far  as  finished.  There  was  no  debris  any- 
where; no  chips,  no  shavings,  no  dust.  The  wood  seemed 
to  have  been  perfectly  prepared  elsewhere — where,  I  have  no 
idea.  The  pieces  were  made  to  fit  accurately,  like  the  parts  of 
a  great  puzzle.  It  required  much  skill  and  artistic  taste  to 
properly  adjust  each  to  its  place.  This,  my  nephew,  who 
even  in  the  earthly  life  was  quite  a  mechanical  genius, 
seemed  to  have  no  difficulty  in  doing,  and  the  house  was 
slowly  growing  into  beauty  and  symmetry.  After  showing 
me  all  over  the  house,  he  at  last  drew  aside  the  hangings 


INTRA   MUROS  51 

before  an  entrance,  beyond  which  were  two  rooms,  not  only 
entirely  finished,  but  beautifully  furnished  as  well. 

"  I  finished  and  furnished  these  rooms  complete,  so  that  if 
mother  came  before  the  house  was  ready,  she  could  occupy 
them  at  once.  You  know  there  is  no  noise  from  workmen 
here ;  no  hammering,  no  unwelcome  sounds." 

I  thought  at  once  of  the  Temple  of  Jerusalem,  where, 
during  its  erection,  there  was  "  neither  hammer,  nor  axe, 
nor  any  tool  of  iron  heard  in  the  house." 

"  It  is  very  beautiful,  my  dear  boy,"  I  said  enthusiastically. 
"  It  will  give  her  great  joy  to  know  you  did  it  for  her. 
But  what  is  this — a  fireplace?"  pausing  before,  a  lovely  open 
chimne",  wherein  wood  was  piled  ready  to  be  lighted.  "  Is 
it  ever  cold  enough  here  for  fires?" 

"  It  is  never  cold,"  he  answered,  "  but  the  fire  here  never 
sends  out  unneeded  warmth.  We  have  its  cheer  and  beauty 
and  glow,  without  any  of  its  discomforts.  You  remember 
my  mother  loves  to  sit  by  an  open  fire;  so  I  have  arranged 
this  for  her." 

"  It  is  charming!  But  you  did  not  make  the  stained- 
glass  windows  also?" 

"  No,  I  have  a  friend  who  has  been  taught  that  art,  and 
we  exchange  work.  He  helps  me  with  the  windows,  and  1 
in  turn  help  him  with  his  fine  woodwork  and  inlaying.  1 
arn  going  to  make  a  '  flower  room  '  for  my  mother  similar 
to  yours,  only  of  lilies  and  violets,  which  will  retain  their 
perfume  always." 


52  1NTRA   MUROS 

"  How  lovely!  I  want  to  thank  you,  dear  Carroll,  for 
your  share  in  our  '  flower  room.'  It  is  the  most  exquisite 
work  I  ever  saw;  and  it  is  doubly  so  when  I  remember 
whose  hands  fashioned  it." 

"  It  was  a  labor  of  love  with  us  all,"  he  said  simply. 

"  That  is  what  enhances  its  beauty  for  me,"  I  said.  "  But 
sit  here  by  me  now,  and  tell  me  about  yourself.  Do  you 
spend  all  your  time  at  this  delightful  work?" 

"  Oh,  no,  indeed !  Perhaps  what  we  used  to  call  two  or 
three  hours  daily.  Much  of  my  time  is  still  spent  with  my 

Grandfather  R .  I  do  not  know  what  I  should  have 

done  when  I  first  came  here,  but  for  him.  I  was  so  ignorant 
about  this  life,  and  came  so  suddenly." 

"  Yes,  dear  boy,  I  know,"  I  said  sympathetically. 

"  He  met  me  at  the  very  entrance,  and  took  me  at  once 
home,  where  he  and  grandma  did  everything  possible  to 
instruct  and  help  me.  But  I  was,  I  am  still,  far  below  what 
I  ought  to  be.  I  would  give  a  year  out  of  this  blessed  life — \ 
I  would  even  go  back  to  the  old  life  for  an  entire  year— if  I 
only  could  go  to  my  old  friends,  or  better,  into  every  Sun- 
day-school in  the  world,  and  beseech  the  girls  and  boys  to 
try  to  understand  and  profit  by  the  instruction  there  re- 
ceived. Why,  I  used  to  go  to  Sunday-school,  Sunday  after 
Sunday,  help  sing  the  hymns,  and  read  the  lesson,  and  listen 
to  all  that  was  said ;  and  I  really  enjoyed  every  moment  of 
the  time.  Sometimes  I  would  feel  a  great  longing  after  a 
better  life,  but  there  seemed  to  be  no  one  to  especially  guide 


INTRA   MUROS  53 

or  help  me,  and,  the  greater  part  of  the  time,  what  I  heard 
one  Sunday  was  never  once  spoken  of  or  even  thought  of 
till  another  Sunday  came,  so  that  the  impression  made  was 
very  transient.  Why  do  not  boys  and  girls  talk  more  to- 
gether about  what  they  hear  at  Sunday-school?  We  were 
all  ready  enough  to  talk  about  a  show  of  any  kind,  after  it 
was  over,  but  seldom  of  the  Sunday-school,  when  together 
socially.  Why  do  not  teachers  take  more  interest  in  the 
daily  lives  of  their  scholars?  Why  is  there  so  little  really 
helpful  talk  in  ordinary  home  life?  Oh,  I  wish  I  could  go 
back  and  tell  them  this!" 

His  face  beamed  with  enthusiasm  as  he  talked,  and  I,  too, 
wished  it  might  be  possible  for  him  to  do  as  he  desired.  But 
alas!  "they  will  not  be  persuaded  even  if  one  arise  from 
the  dead,"  I  thought. 

"  It  is  now  time  for  me  to  go  with  my  grandfather,"  he 
said,  rising,  "  but  we  will  walk  together  as  far  as  your 
home;  and  you  will  let  me  often  see  you,  will  you  not?" 

"  Gladly,"  I  answered,  as  we  set  forth. 

We  still  conversed  of  many  things,  as  we  walked,  and 
when  we  parted  at  the  door  I  said,  "  I  am  soon  to  learn  how 
to  weave  lovely  draperies;  then  I  can  help  you,  when  you  are 
ready  for  them." 

"  That  will  make  my  work  more  delightful  still,"  was  his 
reply,  as  he  hastened  on  in  the  direction  of  my  father's  home. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

She  is  not  dead — the  child  of  our  affection — 

But  gone  unto  that  school 
Where  she  no  longer  needs  our  poor  protection, 

And  Christ  himself  doth  rule. 
Day  after  day  we  think  what  she  is  doing 

In  those  bright  realms  of  air; 
Year  after  year,  her  tender  steps  pursuing, 

Behold  her  grown  more  fair. 

— [Longfellow. 

Hark!    'tis   the   voice   of  angels 

Borne  in  a  song  to  me, 
Over  the  fields  of  glory, 

Over  the  jasper  sea! 

— [W.  H.  Doane. 

AS  time  passed,  and  I  grew  more  accustomed  to  the 
heavenly  life  around  me,  I  found  its  loveliness  un- 
folded to  me  like  the  slow  opening  of  a  rare  flower. 
Delightful  surprises  met  me  at  every  turn.  Now  a  dear 
friend,  from  whom  I  had  parted  years  ago  in  the  earth-life, 
would  come  unexpectedly  upon  me  with  cordial  greeting; 
now  one — perhaps  on  earth  greatly  admired,  but  from  whom 
I  had  held  aloof,  from  the  fear  of  unwelcome  intrusion — 
would  approach  me,  showing  the  lovely  soul  so  full  of 
responsive  kindness  and  congenial  thought,  that  I  could 
but  feel  a  pang  of  regret  for  what  I  had  lost.  Then  the  clear 
revelation  of  some  truth,  only  partly  understood  in  life, 
though  eagerly  sought  for,  would  stand  out  clear  and  strong 
before  me,  overwhelming  me  with  its  lustre,  and  perhaps 

55 


56  INTRA   MUROS 

showing  the  close  tie  linking  the  earth-life  with  the  divine. 
But  the  most  wonderful  to  me  was  the  occasional  meeting 
with  some  one  whom  I  had  never  hoped  to  meet  "  over 
there,"  who,  with  eager  handclasp  and  tearful  eyes,  would 
pour  forth  his  earnest  thanks  for  some  helpful  word,  some 
solemn  warning,  or  even  some  stern  rebuke,  that  had  turned 
him,  all  unknown  to  myself,  from  the  paths  of  sin  into  the 
"  life  everlasting."  Oh,  the  joy  to  me  of  such  a  revelation ! 
Oh,  the  regret  that  my  earth-life  had  not  been  more  full  of 
such  work  for  eternity ! 

My  first  impulse  daily  on  arousing  from  happy,  blissful 
rest,  was  to  hasten  to  the  "  river  of  life  "  and  plunge  into  its 
wonderful  waters,  so  refreshing,  so  invigorating,  so  inspiring. 
With  a  heart  full  of  thanksgiving  and  lips  full  of  joyful 
praise,  morning  after  morning,  sometimes  in  company  with 
my  brother,  sometimes  alone,  I  hastened  thither,  returning 
always  full  of  new  life  and  hope  and  purpose  to  our  home, 
where  for  a  time  each  day  I  listened  to  the  entrancing  revela- 
tions and  instructions  of  my  brother.  One  morning,  soon 
after  my  return  from  my  first  visit  to  earth,  as  I  was  on  the 
way  to  the  river,  my  voice  joined  to  the  wonderful  anthem 
of  praise  everywhere  sounding,  I  saw  a  lovely  young  girl 
approaching  me  swiftly,  with  outstretched  arms. 

"  Dear,  dear  Aunt  Bertha!"  she  called,  as  she  drew  near, 
"  do  you  not  know  me?" 

"  My  little  Mae !"  I  cried,  gathering  the  dainty  creature 
into  my  arms.  "  Where  did  you  spring  from  so  suddenly, 


INTRA   MUROS  57 

dear?  Let  me  look  at  you  again!"  holding  her  a  moment 
at  arm's  length,  only  to  draw  her  again  tenderly  to  me. 

"  You  have  grown  very  beautiful,  my  child.  I  may  say 
this  to  you  here  without  fear,  I  am  sure.  You  were  always 
lovely;  you  are  simply  radiant  now.  Is  it  this  divine  life?" 

"  Yes,"  she  said  modestly  and  sweetly ;  "  but  most  of  all 
the  being  near  the  Savior  so  much." 

"Ah,  yes,  that  is  it — the  being  near  Him!  That  will 
make  any  being  radiant  and  beautiful,"  I  said. 

"  He  is  so  good  to  me;  so  generous,  so  tender!  He  seems 
to  forget  how  little  I  have  done  to  deserve  his  care." 

"  He  knows  you  love  him,  dear  heart;  that  means  every- 
thing to  him." 

"Love  him!  Oh,  if  loving  him  deserves  reward,  I  am 
sure  I  ought  to  have  every  wish  of  my  heart,  for  I  love  him 
a  thousandfold  better  than  anything  in  earth  or  heaven.  I 
would  die  for  him!" 

The  sweet  face  grew  surpassingly  radiant  and  beautiful 
as  she  talked,  and  I  began  to  dimly  understand  the  wonder- 
ful power  of  Christ  among  the  redeemed  in  heaven.  This 
dear  child,  so  lovely  in  all  mortal  graces,  so  full  of  earth's 
keenest  enjoyments  during  the  whole  of  her  brief  life — pure 
and  good,  as  we  count  goodness  below,  yet  seemingly  too 
absorbed  in  life's  gayeties  to  think  deeply  of  the  things  she 
yet  in  her  heart  revered  and  honored,  now  in  this  blessed 
life  counted  the  privilege  of  loving  Christ,  of  being  near 
him,  beyond  every  other  joy!  And  how  that  love  refined 


58  INTRA   MUROS 

and  beautified  the  giver!  As  a  great  earthly  love  always 
shines  through  the  face  and  elevates  the  whole  character 
of  the  one  who  loves,  so  this  divine  love  uplifts  and  glorifies 
the  giver,  until  not  only  the  face  but  the  entire  person 
radiates  the  glory  that  fills  the  heart. 

"  Come  with  me  to  the  river,  Mae,"  I  said  presently,  after 
we  had  talked  together  for  some  time ;  "  come  with  me  for 
a  delightful  plunge." 

"  Gladly,"  she  said ;  "  but  have  you  ever  been  to  the  lake 
or  the  sea?" 

"The  lake  or  the  sea?"  I  echoed.  "No  indeed.  Are 
there  a  lake  and  sea  here?" 

"  Certainly  there  are,"  said  Mae,  with  a  little  pardonable 
pride  that  she  should  know  more  of  the  heavenly  surround- 
ings than  I.  "  Shall  we  go  to  the  lake  to-day,  and  leave  the 
sea  for  another  day?  Which  shall  it  be?" 

"  Let  it  be  the  lake  to-day,"  I  said. 

So,  turning  in  an  entirely  different  direction  from  the 
path  that  led  to  the  river,  we  walked  joyously  on,  still 
talking  as  we  went.  So  much  to  ask,  so  much  to  recall,  so 
much  to  look  forward  to  with  joy ! 

Once  she  turned  to  me  and  asked  quickly : 

K  When  is  my  Uncle  Will  coming?" 

My  hand  closed  tightly  over  hers,  and  a  sob  almost  rose  in 
my  throat,  though  I  answered  calmly: 

"  That  is  in  God's  hands  alone ;  we  may  not  question." 


INTRA   MUROS  59 

"  Yes,  I  know.  His  will  is  always  right ;  but  I  so  long 
to  see  my  dear  uncle  again;  and  to  '  long  '  is  not  to  repine." 

She  had  grown  so  womanly,  so  wise,  this  child  of  tender 
years,  since  we  parted,  that  it  was  a  joy  to  talk  with  her.  I 
told  her  of  my  sad  errand  to  earth,  and  the  sorrow  of  the 
dear  ones  I  had  left. 

"Yes,  yes,  I  know  it  all!"  she  whispered,  with  her  soft 
arms  about  me.  "  But  it  will  not  be  long  to  wait.  They 
will  come  soon.  It  never  seems  long  to  wait  tor  anything 
here.  There  is  always  so  much  to  keep  one  busy;  so  many 
pleasant  duties,  so  many  joys — oh,  it  will  not  be  long!" 

Thus  she  cheered  and  comforted  me  as  we  walked  through 
the  ever-varying  and  always  perfect  landscape.  At  length 
she  cried,  lifting  her  arm  and  pointing  with  her  rosy  finger: 

"  Behold!     Is  it  not  divinely  beautiful?" 

I  caught  my  breath,  then  stopped  abruptly  and  covered 
my  face  with  my  hands  to  shield  my  eyes  from  the  glorified 
scene.  No  wonder  my  brother  had  not  sooner  brought  me  to 
this  place;  I  was  scarcely  yet  spiritually  strong  enough  to 
look  upon  it.  When  I  again  slowly  lifted  my  head,  Mae 
was  standing  like  one  entranced.  The  golden  morning  light 
rested  upon  her  face,  and,  mingling  with  the  radiance  that 
had  birth  within,  almost  transfigured  her.  Even  she,  so  long 
an  inhabitant  here,  had  not  yet  grown  accustomed  to  its 
glory. 

"  Look,  darling  auntie !  It  is  God's  will  that  you  should 
see,"  she  softly  whispered,  not  once  turning  her  eyes  away 


60  INTRA   MUROS 

from  the  scene  before  her.  "  He  let  me  be  the  one  to  show 
you  the  glory  of  this  place !" 

I  turned  and  looked,  like  one  but  half  awakened.  Before 
us  spread  a  lake  as  smooth  as  glass,  but  flooded  with  a  golden 
glory  caught  from  the  heavens,  that  made  it  like  a  sea  of 
molten  gold.  The  blossom-  and  fruit-bearing  trees  grew 
down  to  its  very  border  in  many  places,  and  far,  far  away, 
across  its  shining  waters,  arose  the  domes  and  spires  of  what 
seemed  to  be  a  mighty  city.  Many  people  were  resting  upon 
its  flowery  banks,  and  on  the  surface  of  the  water  were 
boats  of  wonderful  structure,  filled  with  happy  souls,  and 
propelled  by  an  unseen  power.  Little  children,  as  well  as 
grown  persons,  were  floating  upon  or  swimming  in  the 
water;  and  as  we  looked  a  band  of  singing  cherubs,  floating 
high  overhead,  drifted  across  the  lake,  their  baby  voices 
borne  to  us  where  we  stood,  in  notes  of  joyful  praise. 

"  Come,"  said  Mae,  seizing  my  hand,  "  let  us  join  them  "; 
and  we  hastened  onward. 

"  Glory  and  honor!"  sang  the  child  voices.  "  Dominion 
and  power!"  caught  up  and  answered  the  voices  of  the  vast 
multitude  together,  and  in  the  strain  I  found  that  Mae  and  I 
were  joining.  The  cherub  band  floated  onward,  and  away 
in  the  distance  we  caught  the  faint  melody  of  their  sweet 
voices,  and  the  stronger  cadence  of  the  response  from  those 
waiting  below. 

We  stood  upon  the  margin  of  the  lake,  and  my  cheeks 
were  tear-bedewed  and  my  eyes  dim  with  emotion.  I  felt 


INTRA    MUROS  61 

weak  as  a  little  child;  but  oh,  what  rapture,  what  joy  un- 
speakable filled  and  overmastered  me!  Was  I  dreaming? 
Or  was  this  indeed  but  another  phase  of  the  immortal  life? 

Mae  slipped  her  arm  about  my  neck  and  whispered, 
"  Dearest,  come.  After  the  rapture — rest." 

I  yielded  to  her  passively;  I  could  not  do  otherwise.  She 
led  me  into  the  water,  down,  down  into  its  crystal  depths, 
and  when  it  seemed  to  me  we  must  be  hundreds  of  feet 
beneath  the  surface,  she  threw  herself  prostrate  and  bade 
me  do  the  same.  I  did  so,  and  immediately  we  began  to 
slowly  rise.  Presently  I  found  that  we  no  longer  rose,  but 
were  slowly  floating  in  mid-current,  many  feet  still  beneath 
the  surface.  Then  appeared  to  me  a  marvel.  Look  where  I 
would,  perfect  prismatic  rays  surrounded  me.  I  seemed  to  be 
resting  in  the  heart  of  a  prism;  and  such  vivid  yet  delicate 
coloring,  mortal  eyes  never  rested  upon.  Instead  of  the 
seven  colors,  as  we  see  them  here,  the  colors  blended  in  such 
rare  graduation  of  shades  as  to  make  the  rays  seem  almost 
infinite,  or  they  really  were  so ;  I  could  not  decide  which. 

As  I  lay  watching  this  marvelous  panorama,  for  the  colors 
deepened  and  faded  like  the  lights  of  the  aurora  borealis,  I 
was  attracted  by  the  sound  of  distant  music.  Although 
Mae  and  I  no  longer  clung  together,  we  did  not  drift 
apart,  as  one  would  naturally  suppose  we  might,  but  lay 
within  easy  speaking-distance  of  each  other,  although  few 
words  were  spoken  by  either  of  us;  the  silence  seemed  too 
sacred  to  be  lightly  broken.  We  lay  upon,  or  rather  within, 


62  INTRA   MUROS 

the  water,  as  upon  the  softest  couch.  It  required  no  effort 
whatever  to  keep  ourselves  afloat;  the  gentle  undulation  of 
the  waves  soothed  and  rested  us.  When  the  distant  music 
arrested  my  attention,  I  turned  and  looked  at  Mae.  She 
smiled  back  at  me,  but  did  not  speak.  Presently  I  caught 
the  words,  "  Glory  and  honor,  dominion  and  power,"  and  I 
knew  it  was  still  the  cherub  choir,  although  they  must  now 
be  many  miles  distant.  Then  the  soft  tones  of  a  bell — a 
silver  bell  with  silver  tongue — fell  on  my  ear,  and  as  the 
last  notes  died  away,  I  whispered: 

"  Tell  me,  Mae." 

"  Yes,  dear,  I  will.  The  waters  of  this  lake  catch  the 
light  in  a  most  marvelous  manner,  as  you  have  seen;  a 
wiser  head  than  mine  must  tell  you  why.  They  also  trans- 
mit musical  sounds — only  musical  sounds — for  a  great 
distance.  The  song  was  evidently  from  the  distant  shore  of 
the  lake." 

"And  the  bell >" 

"  That  is  the  bell  which  in  the  city  across  the  lake  calls 
to  certain  duties  at  this  hour." 

"  There  never  was  a  sweeter  call  to  duty,"  I  said. 

"  Yes,  its  notes  are  beautiful.  Hark !  now  it  rings  a 
chime." 

We  lay  and  listened,  and  as  we  listened  a  sweet  spell 
wrapped  me  round,  and  I  slept  as  peacefully  as  a  child  on  its 
mother's  bosom.  I  awoke  with  a  strange  sense  of  invigora- 
tion  and  strength.  It  was  a  feeling  wholly  dissimilar  to  that 


INTR4   MUROS  63 

experienced  during  a  bath  in  the  river,  yet  I  could  not  ex- 
plain how.  Mae  said: 

"  One  takes  away  the  last  of  the  earth-life,  and  prepares 
us  for  the  life  upon  which  we  enter;  the  other  fills  us  to 
overflowing  with  a  draught  from  the  Celestial  Life  itself." 

And  I  think  the  child  was  right. 

When  we  emerged  from  the  water  we  found  the  banks 
of  the  lake  almost  deserted,  every  one  having  gone,  at  the 
call  of  the  bell,  to  the  happy  duties  of  the  hour.  Groups  of 
children  still  played  around  in  joyous  freedom.  Some 
climbed  the  trees  that  overhung  the  water,  with  the  agility 
of  squirrels,  and  dropped  with  happy  shouts  of  laughter  into 
the  lake,  floating  around  upon  its  surface  like  immense  and 
beautiful  water-lilies  or  lotus  flowers. 

"  No  fear  of  harm  or  danger;  no  dread  of  ill,  or  anxiety 
lest  a  mishap  occur;  security,  security  and  joy  and  peace! 
This  is  indeed  the  blessed  life,"  I  said,  as  we  stood  watching 
the  sports  of  the  happy  children. 

"  I  often  think  how  we  were  taught  to  believe  that  heaven 
was  where  we  would  wear  crowns  of  gold  and  stand  with 
harps  always  in  our  hands!  Our  crowns  of  gold  are  the 
halos  His  blessed  presence  casts  about  us ;  and  we  do  not  need 
harps  to  accentuate  our  songs  of  praise.  We  do  see  the 
crowns,  and  we  do  hear  the  angelic  harps,  when  and  as  God 
wills  it,  but  our  best  worship  is  to  do  his  blessed  will,"  said 
Mae  as  we  turned  to  go. 

"  You   are   wise    in    the    lore   of   heaven,   my   child,"    I 


64  1NTRA   MUROS 

answered;  "how  happy  I  am  to  learn  from  one  so  dear! 
Tell  me  all  about  your  life  here." 

So  as  we  walked  she  told  me  the  history  of  her  years  in 
heaven — her  duties,  her  joys,  her  friends,  her  home — with 
all  the  old-time  freedom.  I  found  her  home  was  distant  from 
our  own — far  beyond  the  spires  of  the  great  city  across  the 
lake — but  she  added: 

"  What  is  distance  in  heaven  ?  We  come  and  go  at  will. 
We  feel  no  fatigue,  no  haste,  experience  no  delays;  it  is 
blessed,  blessed!" 

Not  far  from  our  home  we  saw  a  group  of  children 
playing  upon  the  grass,  and  in  their  midst  was  a  beautiful 
great  dog,  over  which  they  were  rolling  and  tumbling  with 
the  greatest  freedom.  As  we  approached  he  broke  away 
from  them  and  came  bounding  to  meet  us,  and  crouched  and 
fawned  at  my  very  feet  with  every  gesture  of  glad  welcome. 

"  Do  you  not  know  him,  auntie  ?"  Mae  asked  brightly. 

"  It  is  dear  old  Sport!"  I  cried,  stooping  and  placing  my 
arms  about  his  neck,  and  resting  my  head  on  his  silken  hair. 
"  Dear  old  fellow!  How  happy  I  am  to  have  you  here!" 

He  responded  to  my  caresses  with  every  expression  of  de- 
light, and  Mae  laughed  aloud  at  our  mutual  joy. 

"  I  have  often  wondered  if  I  should  not  some  day  find 
him  here.  He  surely  deserves  a  happy  life  for  his  faithful- 
ness and  devotion  in  the  other  life.  His  intelligence  and  his 
fidelity  were  far  above  those  of  many  human  beings  whom 
we  count  immortal." 


INTRA   MUROS  65 

"  Did  he  not  sacrifice  his  life  for  little  Will?" 

"Yes;  he  attempted  to  cross  the  track  in  front  of  an 
approaching  train,  because  he  saw  it  would  pass  between  him 
and  his  little  master,  and  feared  he  was  in  danger.  It  cost 
his  life.  He  always  placed  himself  between  any  of  us  and 
threatened  danger,  but  Will  he  seemed  to  consider  his 
especial  charge.  He  was  a  gallant  fellow — he  deserves  im- 
mortality. Dear,  dear  old  Sport,  you  shall  never  leave  me 
again!"  I  said,  caressing  him  fondly. 

At  this  he  sprang  to  his  feet,  barking  joyously,  and  gam- 
bolled and  frolicked  before  us  the  rest  of  the  way  home, 
then  lay  down  upon  the  doorstep,  with  an  upward  glance 
and  a  wag  of  his  bushy  tail,  as  though  to  say,  "  See  how  I 
take  you  at  your  word!" 

"  He  understands  every  word  we  say,"  said  Mae. 

"  Of  course  he  does ;  he  only  lacks  speech  to  make  him 
perfect.  I  somehow  hoped  he  might  find  it  here." 

"  He  would  not  be  half  so  interesting  if  he  could  talk," 
said  Mae. 

"  Possibly  not.  How  silken  and  beautiful  his  long  hair 
is!" 

"  He  has  his  bath  in  the  river  every  day,  and  it  leaves  its 
mark  on  him  also.  Do  you  know  I  think  one  of  the  sweetest 
proofs  we  have  of  the  Father's  loving  care  for  us  is,  that  we 
so  often  find  in  this  life  the  things  which  gave  us  great 
happiness  below.  The  more  unexpected  this  is,  the  greater 
joy  it  brings.  I  remember  once  seeing  a  beautiful  little  girl 


66  INTRA   MUROS 

enter  heaven,  the  very  first  to  come  of  a  large  and  affection- 
ate family.  I  afterward  learned  that  the  sorrowful  cry  of 
her  mother  was,  '  Oh,  if  only  we  had  someone  there  to  meet 
her,  to  care  for  her!'  She  came,  lovingly  nestled  in  the 
Master's  own  arms,  and  a  little  later,  as  he  sat,  still  caressing 
and  talking  to  her,  a  remarkably  fine  Angora  kitten,  of  which 
the  child  had  been  very  fond,  and  which  had  sickened  and 
died  some  weeks  before,  to  her  great  sorrow,  came  running 
across  the  grass  and  sprang  directly  into  her  arms,  where  it 
lay  contentedly.  Such  a  glad  cry  as  she  recognized  her  little 
favorite,  such  a  hugging  and  kissing  as  that  kitten  received, 
made  joy  even  in  heaven!  Who  but  our  loving  Father 
would  have  thought  of  such  comfort  for  a  little  child  ?  She 
had  evidently  been  a  timid  child ;  but  now  as  the  children 
gathered  about  her,  with  the  delightful  freedom  they  always 
manifest  in  the  presence  of  the  beloved  Master,  she,  looking 
up  confidingly  into  the  tender  eyes  above  her,  began  to  shyly 
tell  of  the  marvelous  intelligence  of  her  dumb  pet,  until  at 
last  Jesus  left  her  contentedly  playing  among  the  flowers 
with  the  little  companions  who  had  gathered  about  her.  Our 
Father  never  forgets  us,  but  provides  pleasures  and  com- 
forts for  us  all,  according  to  our  individual  needs." 

"  When  shall  I  behold  the  Savior?  When  shall  I  meet, 
face  to  face,  him  whom  my  soul  so  loveth?"  my  hungry 
heart  began  to  cry  out  in  its  depths. 

Mae,  as  though  understanding  the  silent  cry,  placed  both 


INTRJ   MUROS  67 

arms  about  my  neck,  looked  tenderly  into  my  eyes,  and 
whispered : 

"  You,  too,  dearest,  will  see  him  soon.  He  never  delays 
when  the  time  is  ripe  for  his  coming.  It  will  not  be  long; 
you,  too,  will  see  him  soon." 

So  we  parted,  each  to  the  duties  of  the  hour. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Sae  little  noo  I  ken  o'  blessed,  bonnie  place, 

I  only  ken  it's  Hame,  whaur  we  shall  see  His  face 

It  wad  surely  be  eneuch  forever  mair  to  be 

In  the  glory  o'  His  presence,  in  oor  ain  countrie. 

Like  a  bairn  to  his  mither,  a  wee  birdie  to  its  nest, 

I  wad  fain  be  gangin'  noo  unto  my  Savior's  breast, 

For  he  gathers  in  his  bosom  witless,  worthless  lambs  like  me, 

And  carries  them  himseP  to  his  ain  countrie. 

— [Mary  Lee  Demarest. 

THE  following  morning  my  brother  said  to  me,  after  an 
interesting  hour  of  instruction : 

"  Shall  we  go  for  the  promised  visit  to  Mrs.  Wick- 
ham  now?" 

"  Indeed,  yes!"  I  answered  eagerly;  so  we  at  once  set 
forth. 

We  soon  reached  her  lovely  home  and  found  her  waiting 
at  the  entrance  as  though  expecting  us.  After  a  cordial 
greeting  to  our  friend,  my  brother  said: 

"  I  will  leave  you  together  for  that  '  long  talk  '  for  which 
I  know  you  are  both  eager,  and  will  go  my  way  to  other 
duties.  I  will  find  you,  later  on,  at  home."  The  last  remark 
to  me. 

"  All  right,"  I  answered.  "  I  am  familiar  with  the  way 
now,  and  need  no  attendance." 

After  he  had  gone,  my  friend  took  me  all  over  her  lovely 
home,  showing  me,  with  great  pleasure,  the  rooms  prepared 
for  each  beloved  member  of  her  earthly  household  still  to 

69 


70  1NTRA   MVROS 

come.  One  very  large  room,  into  whose  open  windows  at 
each  end  the  blossom-  and  fruit-laden  boughs  of  the  im- 
mortal trees  looked  invitingly,  was  evidently  her  especial 
care ;  she  whispered  to  me,  "  Douglass  always  did  like  a 
large  room.  I  am  sure  he  will  like  this  one."  And  I  was 
also  sure. 

Returning  down  the  broad  stairway,  we  found  it  entered 
into  a  very  large  music-room,  with  broad  galleries  supported 
by  marble  columns,  running  across  three  sides  of  it,  on  a 
level  with  the  second  floor.  In  this  gallery  was  a  number 
of  musical  instruments — harps,  viols,  and  some  unlike  any 
instruments  I  had  ever  seen  elsewhere.  The  room  itself 
was  filled  with  easy-chairs,  couches  and  window-seats,  where 
listeners  could  rest  and  hear  the  sweet  harmonies  from  the 
galleries. 

"  My  daughter,"  my  friend  explained,  "  who  left  us  in 
early  childhood,  has  received  a  fine  musical  training  here, 
and  is  fond  of  gathering  in  her  young  friends  and  giving 
us  quite  often  a  musical  treat.  You  know  our  old  home  of 
Springville  has  furnished  some  rare  voices  for  the  heavenly 
choirs.  Mary  Allis,  Will  Griggs,  and  many  others  you  will 
often  hear  in  this  room,  I  trust." 

We  re-entered,  from  this  room,  the  dainty  reception  hall 
opening  upon  the  front  veranda  and  outer  steps.  Here  Mrs. 
Wickham  drew  me  to  a  seat  beside  her  and  said : 

"  Now,  tell  me  everything  of  the  dear  home  and  all  its 
blessed  inmates." 


1NTRA   MUROS  71 

Holding  each  other's  hands  as  we  talked,  she  questioning, 
I  answering,  things  too  sacred  to  be  repeated  here  were 
dwelt  upon  for  hours.  At  last  she  said,  rising  hastily : 

"  I  will  leave  you  for  a  little  while — nay,  you  must  not 
go,"  as  I  would  have  risen,  "  there  is  much  yet  to  be  said ; 
wait  here,  I  will  return." 

I  had  already  learned  not  to  question  the  judgment  of 
these  wiser  friends,  and  yielded  to  her  will.  As  she  passed 
through  the  doorway  to  the  inner  house,  I  saw  a  stranger 
at  the  front  entrance  and  arose  to  meet  him.  He  was  tall 
and  commanding  in  form,  with  a  face  of  ineffable  sweetness 
and  beauty.  Where  had  I  seen  him  before?  Surely,  surely 
I  had  met  him  since  I  came.  "  Ah,  now  I  know!"  I  thought; 
"  it  is  St.  John,  the  beloved  disciple."  He  had  been  pointed 
out  to  me  one  morning  by  the  river-side. 

"  Peace  be  unto  this  house,"  was  his  salutation  as  he 
entered. 

How  his  voice  stirred  and  thrilled  me!  No  wonder  the 
Master  loved  him,  with  that  voice  and  that  face! 

"  Enter.  Thou  art  a  welcome  guest.  Enter,  and  I  will 
call  the  mistress,"  I  said,  as  I  approached  to  bid  him  wel- 
come. 

"  Nay,  call  her  not.  She  knows  that  I  am  here ;  she  will 
return,"  he  said.  "  Sit  thou  awhile  beside  me,"  he  continued, 
as  he  saw  that  I  still  stood,  after  I  had  seen  him  seated. 
He  arose  and  led  me  to  a  seat  near  him,  and  like  a  child 


72  1NTRA   MUROS 

I  did  as  I  was  bidden;  still  watching,  always  watching,  the 
wonderful  face  before  me. 

"  You  have  but  lately  come  ?"  he  said. 

"  Yes,  I  am  here  but  a  short  time.  So  short  that  I  know 
not  how  to  reckon  time  as  you  count  it  here,"  I  answered. 

"  Ah,  that  matters  little,"  he  said  with  a  gentle  smile. 
"  Many  cling  always  to  the  old  reckoning  and  the  earth- 
language.  It  is  a  link  between  the  two  lives;  we  would  not 
have  it  otherwise.  How  does  the  change  impress  you  ?  How 
do  you  find  life  here?" 

"  Ah,"  I  said,  "  if  they  could  only  know !  I  never  fully 
understood  till  now  the  meaning  of  that  sublime  passage, 
'  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for 
them  that  love  him.'  It  is  indeed  past  human  conception." 
I  spoke  with  deep  feeling. 

"  '  For  them  that  love  him '  ?  Do  you  believe  that  all 
Christians  truly  love  him?"  he  asked.  "  Do  you  think  they 
love  the  Father  for  the  gift  of  the  Son  and  the  Son  because  of 
the  Father's  love  and  mercy?  Or  is  their  worship  ofttimes 
that  of  duty  rather  than  love?"  He  spoke  reflectively  and 
gently. 

"  Oh,"  I  said,  "  you  who  so  well  know  the  beloved  Master 
— who  were  so  loved  by  him — how  can  you  doubt  the  love 
he  must  inspire  in  all  hearts  who  seek  to  know  him?" 

A  radiant  glow  oversprsad  the  wonderful  face,  which  he 
lifted,  looking  directly  at  me — the  mist  rolled  away  from 


IXTRA   MUROS  73 

before  my  eyes — and  I  knew  him!  With  a  low  cry  of  joy 
and  adoration,  I  threw  myself  at  his  feet,  bathing  them  with 
happy  tears.  He  gently  stroked  my  bowed  head  for  a  mo- 
ment, then  rising,  lifted  me  to  his  side. 

"  My  Savior — my  King!"  I  whispered,  clinging  closely  to 
him. 

"  Yes,  and  Elder  Brother  and  Friend,"  he  added,  wiping 
away  tenderly  the  tears  stealing  from  beneath  my  closed 
eyelids. 

"  Yes,  yes,  '  the  chiefest  among  ten  thousand,  and  the 
One  altogether  lovely!'  "  again  I  whispered. 

"  Ah,  now  you  begin  to  meet  the  conditions  of  the  new 
life!  Like  many  another,  the  changing  of  faith  to  sight  with 
you  has  engendered  a  little  shrinking,  a  little  fear.  That  is 
all  wrong.  Have  you  forgotten  the  promise,  '  I  go  to  pre- 
pare a  place  for  you;  that  where  I  am,  there  ye  may  be 
also  '  ?  If  you  loved  me  when  you  could  not  see  me  except 
by  faith,  love  me  more  now  when  we  have  really  become 
'  co-heirs  of  the  Father.'  Come  to  me  with  all  that  perplexes 
or  gladdens;  come  to  the  Elder  Brother  always  waiting  to 
receive  you  with  joy." 

Then  he  drew  me  to  a  seat,  and  conversed  with  me  long 
and  earnestly,  unfolding  many  of  the  mysteries  of  the  divine 
life.  I  hung  upon  his  words;  I  drank  in  every  tone  of  his 
voice;  I  watched  eagerly  every  line  of  the  beloved  face;  and 
I  was  exalted,  uplifted,  upborne,  beyond  the  power  of  words 
to  express.  At  length  with  a  divine  smile,  he  arose. 


74  INTRA   MUROS 

"We  will  often  meet,"  he  said;  and  I,  bending  over, 
pressed  my  lips  reverently  to  the  hand  still  clasping  my  own. 
Then  laying  his  hands  a  moment  in  blessing  upon  my  bowed 
head,  he  passed  noiselessly  and  swiftly  from  the  house. 

As  I  stood  watching  the  Savior's  fast-receding  figure, 
passing  beneath  the  flower-laden  trees,  I  saw  two  beautiful 
young  girls  approaching  the  way  he  went.  With  arms  inter- 
twining they  came,  happily  conversing  together,  sweet  Mary 
Bates  and  Mae  Camden.  When  they  saw  the  Master,  with 
a  glad  cry  they  flew  to  meet  him,  and  as  he  joyously  extended 
a  hand  to  each,  they  turned,  and  each  clinging  to  his  hand, 
one  upon  either  side,  accompanied  him  on  his  way,  looking 
up  trustingly  into  his  face  as  he  talked  with  them,  and  ap- 
parently conversing  with  him  with  happy  freedom.  I  saw 
his  face  from  time  to  time  in  profile,  as  he  turned  and  looked 
down  lovingly,  first  upon  one,  then  the  other  lovely  up- 
turned face,  and  I  thought,  "  That  is  the  way  he  would  have 
us  be  with  him — really  as  children  with  a  beloved  elder 
brother."  I  watched  them  till  the  trees  hid  them  from  my 
sight,  longing  to  gather  the  dear  girls  to  my  heart,  but 
knowing  his  presence  was  to  them  then  more  than  aught  else ; 
then  I  turned  and  passed  softly  through  the  house  to  the 
beautiful  entiance  at  the  rear.  Just  before  I  reached  the 
door  I  met  my  friend  Mrs.  Wickham.  Before  I  could  speak, 
she  said : 

"  I  know  all  about  it.    Do  not  try  to  speak;  I  know  your 


INTRA   MUROS  75 

heart  is  full.  I  will  see  you  very  soon — there,  go!"  and  she 
pushed  me  gently  to  the  door. 

How  my  heart  blessed  her — for  it  indeed  seemed  sacrilege 
to  try  to  talk  on  ordinary  topics  after  this  blessed  experience. 
I  did  not  follow  the  walk,  but  kept  across  the  flowery  turf, 
beneath  the  trees,  till  I  reached  home.  I  found  my  brother 
sitting  upon  the  veranda,  and  as  I  ascended  the  steps  he 
rose  to  meet  me.  When  he  looked  into  my  face,  he  took  both 
hands  into  his  for  an  instant,  and  simply  said,  very  gently: 

"  Ah,  I  see.  You  have  been  with  the  Master !"  and 
stepped  aside  almost  reverently  for  me  to  enter  the  house. 

I  hastened  to  my  room,  and,  dropping  the  draperies  behind 
me  at  the  door,  I  threw  myself  upon  the  couch,  and  with 
closed  eyes  lived  over  every  instant  I  had  spent  in  that 
hallowed  Presence.  I  recalled  every  word  and  tone  of  the 
Savior's  voice,  and  fastened  the  instructions  he  had  given  me 
indelibly  upon  my  memory.  I  seemed  to  have  been  lifted  to 
a  higher  plane  of  existence,  to  have  drunk  deeper  draughts 
from  the  fountain  of  all  good,  since  I  had  met  "  Him  whom 
my  soul  loved."  It  was  a  long,  blessed  communion  that  I 
held  thus  with  my  own  soul  on  that  hallowed  day.  When 
I  looked  upon  the  pictured  face  above  me,  I  wondered  that 
I  had  not  at  once  recognized  the  Christ,  the  likeness  was  so 
perfect.  But  I  concluded  that  for  some  wise  purpose  my 
"  eyes  were  holden  "  until  it  was  his  pleasure  that  I  should 
see  him  as  he  is. 

When  at  last  I  arose,  the  soft  golden  twilight  was  about 


76  INTRA   MUROS 

me,  and  I  knelt  by  my  couch,  to  offer  my  first  prayer  in 
heaven.  Up  to  this  time  my  life  there  had  been  a  constant 
thanksgiving — there  had  seemed  no  room  for  petition.  Now 
as  I  knelt  all  I  could  utter  over  and  over,  was : 

"  I  thank  Thee,  blessed  Father;  I  thank  Thee,  I  thank 
Thee!" 

When  I  at  last  descended  the  stairs,  I  found  my  brother 
standing  in  the  great  "  flower-room,"  and,  going  to  him,  I 
said  softly: 

"  Frank,  what  do  you  do  in  heaven  when  you  want  to 
pray?" 

"We  praise!"  he  answered. 

"  Then  let  us  praise  now,"  I  said. 

And  standing  there,  with  clasped  hands,  we  lifted  up  our 
hearts  and  voices  in  a  hymn  of  praise  to  God;  my  brother 
with  his  clear,  strong  voice  leading,  I  following.  As  the 
first  notes  sounded,  I  thought  the  roof  echoed  them;  but  I 
soon  found  that  other  voices  blended  with  ours,  until  the 
whole  house  seemed  filled  with  unseen  singers.  Such  a  grand 
hymn  of  praise  earth  never  heard.  And  as  the  hymn  went 
on,  I  recognized  many  dear  voices  from  the  past — Will 
Griggs'  pathetic  tenor,  Mary  Allis'  exquisite  soprano,  and 
many  another  voice  that  wakened  memories  of  the  long  ago. 
Then  as  I  heard  sweet  child-voices,  and  looked  up,  I  saw 
above  us  such  a  cloud  of  radiant  baby  faces  as  flooded  my 
heart  with  joy.  The  room  seemed  filled  with  them. 

"Oh,  what  a  life — what  a  divine  life!"  I  whispered,  as, 


1NTRA   MUROS  77 

after  standing  until  the  last  lingering  notes  had  died  away, 
my  brother  and  I  returned  to  the  veranda  and  sat  in  the 
golden  twilight. 

"  You  are  only  in  the  first  pages  of  its  record,"  he  said. 
"  Its  blessedness  must  be  gradually  unfolded  to  us,  or  we 
could  not,  even  here,  bear  its  dazzling  glory." 

Then  followed  an  hour  of  hallowed  intercourse,  when 
he  led  my  soul  still  deeper  into  the  mysteries  of  the  glorious 
life  upon  which  I  had  now  entered.  He  taught  me;  I 
listened.  Sometimes  I  questioned,  but  rarely.  I  was  con- 
tent to  take  of  the  heavenly  manna  as  it  was  given  me,  with 
a  heart  full  of  gratitude  and  love. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Not  as  a  child  shall  we  again  behold  her: 

For  when  with  rapture  wild 
In  our  embraces  we  again  enfold  her, 

She  will  not  be  a  child, 
But  a  fair  maiden,  in  her  Father's  Mansion, 

Clothed  with  celestial  grace, 
And  beautiful  with  all  the  soul's  expansion 

Shall  we  behold  her  face. 

— [Henry  W.  Longfellow 

THE  next  day,  my  brother  being  away  upon  an  im- 
portant mission,  I  started  out  alone  to  see  if  I  might 
not  find  the  dear  young  friends  of  whom  I  had  caught 
a  fleeting  glimpse  the  day  before.  I  knew  that  all  things 
were  ordered  aright  in  that  happy  world,  and  that  sooner  or 
later  I  should  find  them  again ;  yet  I  could  but  hope  it  might 
be  very  soon.  I  recalled  the  happy  light  upon  their  fresh 
young  faces  as  they  had  met  the  beloved  Master,  and  I 
longed  to  talk  with  them  of  their  life  from  day  to  day.  From 
thinking  of  them,  I  began  again  to  think  of  my  blessed  inter- 
view with  Him,  and  became  so  absorbed  in  these  thoughts 
that  I  was  even  oblivious  to  the  beautiful  world  around  me. 
Suddenly  I  heard  some  one  say : 

"  Surely  that  is  Mrs.  Sprague!"  and  looking  up,  I  saw 
sweet  Mary  Bates  a  few  steps  away,  regarding  me  intently. 
I  cried  joyfully : 

"  My  precious  Mamie !" 

79 


80  INTRA    MUROS 

She  flew  to  me,  and  folding  me  in  her  arms,  drew  my  head 
to  her  shoulder  in  the  old  caressing  way,  almost  sobbing  in 
her  great  joy. 

"  Dear,  dear  little  muzzer!" — a  pet  name  often  used  by 
her  in  the  happy  past — "  how  glad,  hew  glad  I  am  to  have 
you  here!  I  could  scarcely  wait  to  find  you." 

"  How  did  you  know  I  was  here,  Mamie?" 

"  The  Master  told  me,"  she  said  softly.  "  Mae  had  al- 
ready told  me,  and  we  were  on  the  way  to  find  you  when 
we  met  him,  and  he  told  us  he  had  just  left  you.  Then 
we  knew  we  must  wait  a  little,"  she  said  reverently. 

How  my  heart  thrilled!  He  had  thought  about,  had 
spoken  of  me,  after  we  parted!  I  longed  to  ask  her  what 
he  had  said,  but  dared  not.  Seeming  to  divine  my  thoughts, 
she  continued: 

"  He  spoke  so  tenderly  about  you,  and  said  we  must  be 
with  you  much.  Mae  had  work  to  do  to-day,  and  as  she 
had  already  seen  you  once,  I  came  alone.  She  may  be  here 
later  on.  May  I  stay  a  long  time  with  you?  There  is  so 
much  to  tell  you,  so  much  to  ask  about!" 

"  Indeed  you  may.  I  had  started  out  to  find  you,  when 
we  met.  Come,  dear  child,  let  us  return  home  at  once." 

So,  clinging  to  each  other,  we  set  out  toward  my  home. 

"  What  shall  I  tell  you  first?"  I  asked. 

"  Everything  about  the  dear  ones — every  individual  mem- 
ber of  our  beloved  household.  Begin  with  my  precious, 
heart-broken  mother;"  here  her  voice  broke  a  little,  but  she 


INTRA   MUROS  81 

soon  continued,  "  I  am  with  her  often,  but  her  great,  and  I 
fear  unreconciled,  sorrow,  keeps  me  from  being  the  comfort 
to  her  I  long  to  be.  If  only  she  could  spend  one  hour  with 
me  here,  could  know  God's  wisdom  and  love  as  we  know 
it,  how  the  cloud  would  lift  from  her  life !  How  she  would 
see  that  the  two  lives,  after  all,  are  but  one." 

"  Yes,  dear,"  I  answered,  "  I  always  urged  her  to  think  of 
it  in  that  light  and  to  trust  implicitly  in  the  Father's  tender 
care  and  never-failing  love;  but  it  is  difficult  for  us  to  see 
beyond  the  lonely  hearthstone  and  the  vacant  chair.  Still,  I 
believe  she  does  begin  to  dimly  grasp  the  comfort  you  are 
so  eager  to  impart." 

"  Ah,  if  only  she  knew  that  I  need  just  that  to  complete 
my  happiness  now!  We  cannot  sorrow  here  as  we  did  on 
earth,  because  we  have  learned  to  know  that  the  Will  of 
the  Father  is  always  tender  and  wise;  but  even  heaven  can 
never  be  complete  for  me  while  I  know  that  my  precious 
mother  is  forgetful  of  her  many  rare  blessings,  simply  be- 
cause I  may  not  be  with  her,  in  the  flesh,  to  share  them. 
There  is  my  father,  and  the  boys — why,  I  am  as  truly  hers 
still  as  they  are!  I  often  sit  with  them  all,  with  her  hand 
in  mine,  or  my  arms  about  her — my  dear  little  mother! 
Why  must  she  see  me,  to  recognize  this?  But  this  is  almost 
complaining,  is  it  not?  Some  day  she  will  know  all — we 
must  be  patient." 

As  we  walked  on  slowly,  conversing  of  the  earth-life,  still 
in  many  phases  so  dear  to  us,  she  asking  eager  questions,  I 


82  1NTRA   MUROS 

answering  as  best  I  could,  we  saw  a  group  of  four  persons, 
three  women  and  a  man,  standing  under  the  trees  a  little  to 
one  side  of  the  walk.  The  man's  back  was  towards  us,  but 
we  at  once  recognized  the  Master.  The  women  were  all 
strangers,  and  one  of  them  seemed  to  have  just  arrived.  Her 
hand  the  Savior  held,  as  he  talked  with  her,  while  all  were 
intently  listening  to  his  words.  We  regarded  the  group  in 
silence  as  we  slowly  passed,  not  hoping  for  recognition  from 
him  at  such  a  time,  but  just  as  we  were  opposite  to  them, 
"  he  turned  and  looked  upon  "  us.  He  did  not  speak — but 
oh,  that  look!  So  full  of  tenderness  and  encouragement  and 
benediction!  It  lifted  us,  it  bore  us  upward,  it  enthralled 
and  exalted  us;  and  as  we  passed  onward,  the  clasp  of  our 
hands  tightened,  and  rapture  unspeakable  flooded  our  hearts. 

We  finished  our  walk  in  silence,  and  sat  down  on  the 
marble  steps  in  the  shadow  of  the  overhanging  trees.  The 
dear  child  nestled  close  against  my  side,  and  laid  her  head 
upon  my  shoulder,  while  I  rested  my  cheek  caressingly  upon 
it.  After  a  time  I  whispered,  half  to  myself,  "  Was  there 
ever  such  a  look!" 

Instantly  she  raised  her  head  and  looking  at  me,  said  eager- 
ly :  "  You  think  so,  too  ?  I  was  sure  you  would.  It  is 
always  just  so.  If  he  is  too  much  engaged  to  speak  to  you 
at  the  time,  he  just  looks  at  you,  and  it  is  as  though  he  had 
talked  a  long  while  with  you.  Is  he  not  wonderful !  Why, 
why  could  we  not  know  him  on  earth  as  we  know  him  here?" 

"  How  long  were  you  here  before  you  met  him  ?"  I  asked. 


INTRA    MUROS  83 

"  Oh,  that  is  the  wonderful  part  of  it!  His  was  the  first 
face  I  looked  upon  after  I  left  the  body.  I  felt  bewildered 
when  I  first  realized  that  I  was  free,  and  I  stood  for  a  mo- 
ment irresolute.  Then  I  saw  him  standing  just  beside  me, 
with  that  same  look  upon  his  face.  At  first  I  felt  timid  and 
half  afraid.  Then  he  stretched  forth  his  hand  to  me,  and 
said  gently,  '  My  child,  I  have  come  to  take  care  of  you ; 
trust  me;  do  not  be  afraid.'  Then  I  knew  him,  and  instantly 
all  fear  left  me,  and  I  clung  to  him  as  I  would  have  done  to 
either  of  my  brothers.  He  did  not  say  much  to  me,  but 
somehow  I  felt  that  he  understood  all  of  my  thoughts.  After 
a  moment,  I  asked : 

'  May  I  not  remain  awhile  with  mamma?    She  is  heart- 
broken.' 

'  Yes,  dear  child,  as  long  as  you  desire,'  he  answered 
compassionately. 

'Will  you  also  remain?'  I  asked,  for  I  already  felt  I 
could  not  bear  to  have  him  leave  me. 

"  He  looked  much  pleased,  as  though  he  divined  my 
thought,  as  he  answered :  '  Yes,  I  will  never  leave  you,  till 
you  are  ready  to  accompany  me.' 

"  Then  I  went  to  mamma  and  put  my  arms  about  her, 
and  presently  the  Master,  too,  came  and  whispered  words 
of  comfort  to  her;  but  I  am  not  sure  she  recognized  our 
presence,  though  I  fancied  that  she  grew  more  calm  beneath 
my  caresses.  We  stayed  till  all  was  over.  I  never  left  mamma 
an  instant,  except  that  twice  I  stole  to  poor  little  Hal's  sick- 


84  1NTR4    MUROS 

room  when  he  was  for  a  short  time  alone.  I  have  always 
felt  that  he  recognized  my  presence  more  than  any  of  them, 
he  lay  so  still  and  calm  when  I  talked  to  him.  He  seemed 
to  be  listening.  When  they  gathered  for  the  last  time  about 
my  casket,  it  seemed  to  me  I  must  speak,  I  must  show  my- 
self to  them!  Could  they  for  one  instant  have  seen  my 
living  self,  standing  so  calmly  in  their  midst,  they  would 
have  turned  forever  from  the  lifeless  clay  they  had  embalmed 
and  beautified  for  the  tomb.  They  would  have  known  I  was 
not  there.  But  they  would  not  recognize  the  truth.  At  last 
I  pleaded  with  the  Master  to  let  me  show  myself  once  to 
them,  there.  But  he  said,  '  It  is  not  the  Father's  will.' 

"  After  that  I  accepted  fully  the  Father's  will,  and  soon 
thereafter  he  brought  me  here  in  his  arms.  And  what  a 
blessed  life  it  is!" 

I  can  give  only  a  brief  outline  of  our  conversation  on  that 
first  happy  day.  It  is  too  sacred  to  be  scanned  by  curious 
eyes.  We  talked  until  the  golden  twilight  fell,  and  we 
watched  the  little  birds  nestling  in  the  vines,  and  heard  afar 
the  solemnly  joyous  notes  of  the  angels'  choral  song,  and 
joined  our  voices  in  the  hymn  of  praise.  Later  we  went  to 
my  room,  and  lay  down  upon  my  dainty  couch  for  rest,  and 
the  last  words  I  heard  before  sinking  into  heaven's  blissful 
sleep  were,  tenderly  whispered :  "  Dear,  dear  little  muzzer, 
I  am  so  glad  and  happy  that  you  are  here !" 

More  than  once  the  question  has  been  asked,  "  Was  there 
night  there?"  Emphatically,  no!  What,  for  want  of  a  better 


INTRA   MUROS  85 

designation,  we  may  call  "  day,"  was  full  of  a  glorious 
radiance,  a  roseate  golden  light,  which  was  everywhere. 
There  is  no  language  known  to  mortals  that  can  describe  this 
marvelous  glory.  It  flooded  the  sky;  it  was  caught  up  and 
reflected  in  the  waters;  it  filled  all  heaven  with  joy  and  all 
hearts  with  song.  After  a  period  much  longer  than  our  long- 
est earthly  day,  this  glory  mellowed  and  softened  until  it 
became  a  glowing  twilight  full  of  peace.  The  children 
ceased  their  playing  beneath  the  trees,  the  little  birds  nestled 
among  the  vines,  and  all  who  had  been  busy  in  various  ways 
throughout  the  day  sought  rest  and  quiet.  But  there  was  no 
darkness,  no  dusky  shadows  even — only  a  restful  softening 
of  the  glory. 


CHAPTER  X. 

O    sweet    and    blessed    country, 

The  home  of  God's  elect! 
O  sweet  and  blessed  country 

That  eager  hearts  expect! 
There  stand  those  halls  of  Zion 

All  jubilant  with  song, 
And  bright  with  many  an  angel, 

And  all  the  martyr  throng. 

— [St.  Bernard  of  Cluny. 

NOT  long  after  this  my  brother  said,  "  We  will  go  to 
the  grand  auditorium  this  morning;  it  will  be  a  rare 
day  even  here.     Martin  Luther  is  to  talk  on  '  The 
Reformation ;  Its  Causes  and  Effects,'  and  this  will  be  supple- 
mented by  a  talk  from  John  Wesley.     There  may  also  be 
other  speakers." 

It  was  not  the  first  time  we  had  visited  this  great  audi- 
torium, although  I  have  not  hitherto  described  it.  It  stood 
upon  a  slight  eminence,  and  the  mighty  dome  was  supported 
by  massive  columns  of  alternate  amethyst  and  jasper.  There 
were  no  walls  to  the  vast  edifice;  only  the  great  dome  and 
supporting  columns.  A  broad  platform  of  precious  marbles, 
inlaid  in  porphyry,  arose  from  the  center,  from  which  the 
seats  ascended  on  three  sides,  forming  an  immense  amphi- 
theater. The  seats  were  of  cedar  wood  highly  polished ;  and 
back  of  the  platform  were  heavy  hangings  of  royal  purple. 
An  altar  of  solid  pearl  stood  near  the  center  of  the  platform. 

87 


88  INTRA    MUROS 

The  great  dome  was  deep  and  dark  in  its  immensity,  so  that 
only  the  golden  statues  around  its  lower  border  were  dis- 
tinctly visible.  All  this  I  had  noted  at  former  visits. 

When  we  entered,  we  found  the  building  filled  with 
people  eagerly  waiting  for  what  was  to  follow.  We  soon 
were  seated  and  also  waiting.  Soft  strains  of  melody  floated 
about  us,  from  an  invisible  choir,  and  before  long  Martin 
Luther,  in  the  prime  of  a  vigorous  manhood,  ascended  the 
steps  and  stood  before  us.  It  is  not  my  purpose  to  dwell 
upon  his  appearance,  so  familiar  to  us  all,  except  to  say  that 
his  great  intellect  and  spiritual  strength  seemed  to  have 
added  to  his  already  powerful  physique,  and  made  him  a  fit 
leader  still,  even  in  heavenly  places. 

His  discourse  would  of  itself  fill  a  volume,  and  could  not 
be  given  even  in  outline,  in  this  brief  sketch.  He  held  us 
enthralled  by  the  power  of  his  will  and  his  eloquence.  When 
he  at  length  retired,  John  Wesley  took  his  place,  and  the 
saintly  beauty  of  his  face,  intensified  by  the  heavenly  light 
upon  it,  was  wonderful.  His  theme  was  "  God's  love ;"  and 
if  in  the  earth-life  he  dwelt  upon  it  with  power,  he  now 
swept  our  souls  with  the  fire  of  his  exaltation,  until  we  were 
as  wax  in  his  hands.  He  showed  what  that  love  had  done 
for  us,  and  how  an  eternity  of  thanksgiving  and  praise  could 
never  repay  it. 

Silence,  save  for  the  faint,  sweet  melody  of  the  unseen 
choir,  rested  upon  the  vast  audience  for  some  time  after  he 
left.  All  seemed  lost  in  contemplation  of  the  theme  so 


INTRA   MUROS  89 

tenderly  dwelt  upon.  Then  the  heavy  curtains  back  of  the 
platform  parted,  and  a  tall  form,  about  whom  all  the  glory 
of  heaven  seemed  to  center,  emerged  from  their  folds  and 
advanced  toward  the  middle  of  the  platform.  Instantly  the 
vast  concourse  of  souls  arose  to  their  feet,  and  burst  forth  as 
with  one  voice  into  that  grand  anthem  in  which  we  had  so 
often  joined  on  earth : 

"  All  hail  the  power   of  Jesus'   name, 

Let  angels  prostrate  fall; 
Bring  forth  the  royal  diadem, 

And  crown  him  Lord  of  all." 

Such  a  grand  chorus  of  voices,  such  unity,  such  harmony, 
such  volume,  was  never  heard  on  earth.  It  rose,  it  swelled, 
it  seemed  to  fill  not  only  the  great  auditorium,  but  heaven 
itself.  And  still,  above  it  all,  we  heard  the  voices  of  the 
angel  choir,  no  longer  breathing  the  soft,  sweet  melody,  but 
bursting  forth  into  paeans  of  triumphant  praise.  A  flood  of 
glory  seemed  to  fill  the  place,  and  looking  upward  we  beheld 
the  great  dome  ablaze  with  golden  light,  and  the  angelic 
forms  of  the  no  longer  invisible  choir  in  its  midst,  with 
their  heavenly  harps  and  viols,  and  their  faces  only  less 
radiant  than  that  of  Him  in  whose  praise  they  sang.  And 
he,  before  whom  all  heaven  bowed  in  adoration,  stood  with 
uplifted  face  and  kingly  mien,  the  very  God  of  earth  and 
heaven.  He  was  the  center  of  all  light,  and  a  divine  radiance 
surrounded  him  that  was  beyond  compare. 

As  the  hymn  of  praise  and  adoration  ceased,  all  sank  slow- 


90  1NTRA    MUROS 

ly  to  their  knees,  and  every  head  was  bowed  and  every  face 
covered  as  the  angel  choir  chanted  again  the  familiar  words: 

"  Glory  be  to  the  Father,  and  to  the  Son,  and  to  the  Holy 
Ghost.  As  it  was  in  the  beginning,  is  now,  and  ever  shall  be, 
world  without  end.  Amen,  Amen!" 

Slowly  the  voices  died  away,  and  a  holy  silence  fell  upon 
us.  Presently,  slowly  and  reverently,  all  arose  and  resumed 
their  places.  No,  not  all.  Sweet  Mary  Bates  had  accom- 
panied us  to  the  sanctuary',  and  I  now  noticed  that  she  alone 
still  knelt  in  our  midst,  with  clasped  hands  and  radiant  up- 
lifted face,  her  lovely  eyes  fixed  upon  the  Savior,  as  he  still 
stood  waiting  before  us,  with  such  a  look  of  self-forgetful 
adoration  and  love  as  made  her  herself  truly  divine.  She  was 
so  rapt  I  dared  not  disturb  her;  but  in  a  moment  the  Master 
turned  and  met  her  adoring  eyes  with  such  a  look  of  loving 
recognition,  that  with  a  deep  sigh  of  satisfied  desire,  as  he 
turned  again,  she  quietly  resumed  her  seat  beside  me,  slipping 
her  little  hand  into  mine  with  all  the  confidence  of  a  child 
who  feels  sure  it  is  understood  to  the  utmost. 

As  I  looked  upon  the  glorious  form  before  us,  clothed  in 
all  the  majesty  of  the  Godhead,  my  heart  tremblingly  asked : 
"  Can  this  indeed  be  the  Christ-man  whom  Pilate  condemned 
to  die  an  ignominious  death  upon  the  cross?"  I  could  not 
accept  it.  It  seemed  impossible  that  any  man,  however  vile, 
could  be  blind  to  the  divinity  so  plainly  revealed  in  him. 

Then  the  Savior  began  to  speak,  and  the  sweetness  of  his 
voice  was  far  beyond  the  melody  of  the  heavenly  choir.  And 


INTRA   MUROS  91 

his  gracious  words!  Would  that  I  could,  would  that  I 
dared,  transcribe  them  as  they  fell  from  his  lips.  Earth 
has  no  language  by  which  I  could  convey  their  lofty  meaning. 
He  first  touched  lightly  upon  the  earth-life,  and  showed  so 
wonderfully  the  link  of  light  uniting  the  two  lives — the 
past  with  the  present.  Then  he  unfolded  to  us  some  of  the 
earlier  mysteries  of  the  blessed  life,  and  pointed  out  the 
joyous  duties  just  before  us. 

When  he  ceased,  we  sat  with  bowed  heads  as  he  withdrew. 
Our  hearts  were  so  enfolded,  our  souls  so  uplifted,  our  spirits 
so  exalted,  our  whole  being  so  permeated  with  his  divinity, 
that  when  we  arose  we  left  the  place  silently  and  reverently, 
each  bearing  away  a  heart  filled  with  higher,  more  divine 
aspirations,  and  clearer  views  of  the  blessed  life  upon  which 
we  were  permitted  to  enter. 

I  can  touch  but  lightly  upon  these  heavenly  joys.  There  is 
a  depth,  a  mystery  to  all  that  pertains  to  the  divine  life, 
which  I  dare  not  try  to  describe;  I  could  not  if  I  would,  I 
would  not  if  I  could.  A  sacredness  enfolds  it  all  that  curious 
eyes  should  not  look  upon.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  no  joy 
we  know  on  earth,  however  rare,  however  sacred,  can  be 
more  than  the  faintest  shadow  of  the  joy  we  there  find;  no 
dreams  of  rapture,  here  unrealized,  approach  the  bliss  of  one 
moment,  even,  in  that  divine  world.  No  sorrow;  no  pain; 
no  sickness;  no  death;  no  partings;  no  disappointments;  no 
tears  but  those  of  joy ;  no  broken  hopes ;  no  mislaid  plans ;  no 
night,  nor  storm,  nor  shadows  even ;  but  light  and  joy  and 


92  INTRA   MUROS 

love  and  peace  and  rest  forever  and  forever.    "  Amen,"  and 
again  my  heart  says  revently,  "  Amen." 


CHAPTER  XI 


Jerusalem!     Jerusalem! 

Thy  streets  of  pearl  and  gold 
Are  trod  by  the  blest  feet  of  them 

We  knew  and  loved  of  old. 
Their  voices  full  of  calm  delight 

Steal  through  the  radiant  air — 
Jerusalem!     Jerusalem! 

Our  hearts  are  with  them  there! 


AS  the  days  passed  I  found  my  desires  often  led  me  to 
the  sacred  lake,  sometimes  alone,  sometimes  with  one 
or  more  of  my  own  family  circle — my  revered  father 
and  precious  mother,  my  dear  brother  and  sister,  and  many 
beloved  friends  both  within  and  without  the  bond  of  con- 
sanguinity. It  was  always  to  me  an  inspiration  and  an  up- 
lifting. I  never  could  grow  sufficiently  familiar  with  it  to 
overcome  the  first  great  awe  with  which  it  inspired  me;  but 
I  found  that  the  oftener  I  bathed  or  floated  and  slept  in  its 
pellucid  current,  the  stronger  I  grew  in  spirit,  and  the  more 
clearly  I  comprehended  the  mysteries  of  the  world  about  me. 
My  almost  daily  intercourse  with  the  dear  ones  of  our 
home  life  from  whom  I  had  so  long  been  separated,  served 
to  restore  to  me  the  home  feeling  that  had  been  the  greatest 
solace  of  my  mortal  life;  and  I  began  to  realize  that  this 
was  indeed  the  true  life,  instead  of  that  probationary  life 
which  we  had  always  regarded  as  such.  I  think  it  was  the 
day  after  my  return  from  my  first  visit  to  earth,  that,  as 

03 


94  INTRA   MUROS 

I  had  started  to  cross  the  sward  lying  between  my  father's 
house  and  our  own,  I  heard  my  name  called  in  affectionate 
tones.  I  turned  and  saw  approaching  me  a  tall,  fine-looking 
man,  whose  uncovered  head  was  silvery  white,  and  whose 
deep  blue  eyes  looked  happily  and  tenderly  into  mine,  as  he 
drew  near. 

"  Oliver!"  I  cried  with  outstretched  hands  of  welcome, 
"dear,  dear  Oliver!"  It  was  the  husband  of  my  eldest 
sister,  always  dearly  loved. 

"  I  did  not  know  that  you  had  come,  until  a  few  moments 
since,  when  our  father  told  me.  It  is  delightful  to  have  you 
here;  it  seems  more  like  the  old  life  to  see  you  than  any  of 
the  others  who  are  here — we  were  together  so  much  during 
the  last  years  of  my  stay,"  he  said,  grasping  my  hands  warmly. 
"  Where  are  you  going  now  ?  Can  you  not  come  with  me 
awhile?  I  was  thinking  only  a  few  days  ago  how  much  I 
wished  you  could  be  here  a  little  while  before  Lu  came ;  you 
know  her  tastes  so  well.  And  now  here  you  are !  So  often 
our  unspoken  wishes  are  thus  gratified  in  heaven!" 

"  Is  my  sister  coming  soon  ?"  I  asked  a  little  later. 

"  That  I  cannot  confidently  say ;  but  you  know  the  years 
of  the  earth-life  are  passing,  and  her  coming  cannot  be  much 
longer  delayed.  Can  you  come  with  me  now?" 

"  Gladly,"  I  said,  turning  to  walk  with  him. 

"  It  is  only  a  little  way  from  here,"  he  said.  "  Just  where 
the  river  bends.  Lu  loves  the  water  so,  I  chose  that  spot  in 
preference  to  one  even  nearer  your  home." 


INTRA   MUROS  95 

"  This  is  truly  enchanting!"  I  cried,  as  we  drew  near  the 
place.  "  I  have  not  been  this  way  before." 

"I  want  you  to  see  the  river  from  her  room  windows,"  he 
said ;  "I  know  you  will  enjoy  it." 

We  entered  the  truly  beautiful  house,  built  of  the  purest 
white  granite,  so  embedded  in  the  foliage  of  the  flower- 
laden  trees  that  from  some  points  only  glimpses  of  its  fine 
proportions  could  be  seen. 

"  She  loves  flowers  so  much — will  she  not  enjoy  these 
trees?"  he  asked  with  almost  boyish  delight. 

"  Beyond  everything,"  I  answered. 

We  passed  through  several  delightful  rooms  on  the  lower 
floor,  and,  ascending  the  stairway,  which  in  itself  was  a 
dream  of  beauty,  entered  the  room  he  was  so  anxious  I  should 
see.  I  stopped  upon  the  threshold  with  an  exclamation  of 
delight,  while  he  stood  watching  with  keen  enjoyment  the 
expression  on  my  face. 

"  It  is  the  most  delightful  room  I  ever  saw!"  I  cried 
enthusiastically. 

The  framework  of  couches,  chairs  and  desk  was  of  pure 
and  spotless  pearl,  upholstered  in  dim  gold;  soft  rugs  and 
draperies  everywhere ;  and  through  the  low  window,  opening 
upon  the  flower-wreathed  balcony,  so  enchanting  a  view  of 
the  broad,  smooth  river  below,  that  again  I  caught  my  breath 
in  delight.  A  thousand  exquisite  tints  from  the  heavens 
above  were  reflected  upon  the  tranquil  waters,  and  a  boat 
floating  on  the  current  was  perfectly  mirrored  in  the  opaline- 


96  INTRA    MUROS 

tinted  ripples.  Far  across  the  shining  waters  the  celestial 
hills  arose,  with  domes  and  pillared  temples  and  sparkling 
fountains  perceptible  everywhere.  When  at  last  I  turned 
from  this  entrancing  view,  I  saw  on  the  opposite  wall,  smil- 
ing down  upon  me,  the  same  Divine  face  that  I  daily  looked 
upon  in  my  own  room  at  home. 

We  descended  the  stairs  without  a  word,  then  I  could  only 
falter : 

"  Only  heaven  could  give  such  perfection  in  even-thing!" 

Oliver  pressed  my  hand  sympathetically,  and  let  me  de- 
part without  a  word. 

Many  months,  by  earthly  time,  had  passed  since  that  day, 
and  many  times  I  had  visited  that  lovely  home  and  held  sweet 
converse  with  one  I  loved  so  well.  I  could  suggest  nothing 
that  would  add  to  the  beauty  of  the  place,  but  we  talked  of 
it  together,  and  planned  for  ancf  anticipated  the  joy  of  her 
coming. 

One  day  I  found  him  absent,  and  though  I  waited  long 
for  his  return,  he  came  not.  I  had  not  seen  him  for  several 
days,  and  concluded  he  had  been  sent  upon  some  mission  by 
the  Master.  As  I  passed  onward  to  our  home,  I  met  a 
group  of  happy  young  girls  and  boys,  of  different  ages, 
hastening  the  way  I  had  come,  with  their  arms  full  of  most 
beautiful  flowers.  As  they  drew  near  I  saw  they  were  the 
grandchildren  of  my  dear  sister — Stanley  and  Mary  and 
David  and  Lee  and  little  Ruth.  As  soon  as  they  saw  me, 
they  all  with  one  accord  began  to  shout  joyfully: 


INTRA   MUROS  97 

Grandma  is  coming!  Grandma  is  coming!  We  are 
taking  flowers  to  scatter  everywhere!  We  are  so  glad!" 

"  How  do  you  know  she  is  coming,  children?  I  have  just 
been  to  the  house — no  one  is  there !" 

"  But  she  is  coming,"  said  little  Lee.  "  We  had  a  message 
from  grandpa,  and  he  is  to  bring  her." 

"  Then  I  will  tell  the  others,  and  we  will  all  come  to 
welcome  her,"  I  said. 

With  a  great  joy  in  my  heart  I  hastened  onward  to  my 
father's  house.  I  found  them  awaiting  me,  full  of  joyful 
expectation. 

"  Yes,  we  also  have  had  word,"  my  father  said,  "  and  were 
only  awaiting  your  return,  that  we  might  go  together." 

"  Then  I  will  go  for  brother  Frank,  that  he  also  may 
accompany  us,"  I  said. 

"  He  is  here!"  said  a  genial  voice;  and,  looking  up,  I  saw 
him  at  the  door. 

"  Col.  Sprague  is  always  present  when  he  is  needed,"  said 
my  father  cordially. 

So  we  set  forth,  a  goodly  company,  to  welcome  this  dearly 
loved  one  to  her  home — my  father,  my  mother,  and  my  sister 
Jodie;  my  brother  the  doctor,  and  his  two  fair  daughters;  my 
Aunt  Gray,  her  son  Martin,  and  his  wife  and  daughter; 
my  brother  Frank  and  I. 

As  we  approached  the  house  we  heard  the  sound  of  joyous 
voices,  and  looking  in,  we  saw  my  sister  standing  in  the  room, 
her  husband's  arm  about  her,  and  the  happy  grandchildren 


98  1NTRA   MUROS 

thronged  around  them,  like  humming-birds  among  the  flow- 
ers. But  what  was  this?  Could  this  radiant  creature,  with 
smooth  brow  and  happy  eyes,  be  the  pale,  wan  woman  I 
had  last  seen,  so  bowed  with  suffering  and  sorrow?  I  looked 
with  eager  eyes.  Yes,  it  was  my  sister ;  but  as  she  was  full 
thirty  years  ago,  with  the  bloom  of  health  upon  her  face, 
and  the  light  of  youth  in  her  tender  eyes.  I  drew  back  into 
the  shadow  of  the  vines  and  let  the  others  precede  me,  for  my 
heart  was  full  of  a  strange,  triumphant  joy.  This  truly  was 
the  "  victory  over  death  "  so  surely  promised  by  our  risen 
Lord.  I  watched  the  happy  greetings,  and  the  way  she  took 
each  beloved  one  into  her  tender  arms.  When,  one  by  one, 
she  had  greeted  and  embraced  them  all,  I  saw  her,  with  a 
strange  yearning  at  my  heart,  turn  and  look  wistfully 
around,  then  whisper  to  my  father: 
"  Is  not  my  little  sister  here  ?" 

I  could  wait  no  longer,  but,  hastening  to  her  side,  cried : 
"  Dearest,  I  am  here!    Welcome!  Welcome!" 
She  folded  me  to  her  heart  and  held  me  fast  in  her  warm 
arms,  she  showered  me  with  kisses  upon  my  upturned  face, 
while  I  returned  each  loving  caress,  and  laughed  and  cried 
for  very  gladness  that  she  had  come  at  last.     Oh,  what  a 
family  reunion  was  that  inside  the  walls  of  heaven!     And 
how  its  bliss  was  heightened  by  the  sure  knowledge  (not  the 
hope)  that  there  should  be  no  partings  for  us  henceforth  for- 
ever! 

My  brother  Oliver  looked  on  with  proud  and  happy  eyes. 


INTRA   MUROS  99 

The  hour  for  which  he  had  longed  and  waited  had  come  to 
him  at  last;  his  home-life  would  now  be  complete  for  ever- 
more. I  told  him  how  I  had  waited  for  him  that  day,  and 
he  said,  "  We  saw  you  as  you  left  the  house,  but  were  too 
distant  to  call  you.  I  had  taken  her  into  the  river,  and  she 
had  looked  at  and  admired  the  house  very  greatly  before  she 
knew  it  was  our  home." 

"  What  did  she  do  when  she  saw  her  lovely  room?" 

"  Cried  like  a  child,  and  clung  to  me,  and  said,  '  This 
more  than  repays  us  for  the  lost  home  of  earth!'  If  the 
children  had  not  come,  I  think  she  would  have  been  at  that 
window  still!"  he  said,  laughing  happily. 

"  I  am  glad  you  had  her  all  to  yourself  at  the  first,"  I 
whispered ;  "  you  deserved  that  happiness,  dear,  if  any  man 
ever  did." 

He  smiled  gratefully,  and  looked  over  at  his  wife,  where 
she  stood  the  center  of  a  happy  group. 

"  Does  she  not  look  very  young  to  you,  Oliver?"  I  asked. 

"  The  years  rolled  from  her  like  a  mask,  as  we  sat  beneath 
the  water  in  the  river.  Ah,  truly  in  those  life-giving  waters 
we  do  all  '  renew  our  youth  ' ;  but  she  became  at  once  un- 
commonly fair  and  young." 

"  Her  coming  has  brought  youth  likewise  to  you,"  I  said, 
noting  his  fresh  complexion  and  his  sparkling  eyes;  "  but  I 
hope  it  will  not  change  your  silver  hair,  for  that  is  to  you  a 
crown  of  glory." 

He  looked  at  me  a  moment  critically,  then  said : 


100  INTRA    MUROS 

"  I  wonder  if  you  realize  the  change  that  has  likewise 
come  to  you  in  this  wonderful  clime?" 

"  I?"  I  said,  a  little  startled  at  the  thought;  "  I  confess  I 
have  not  once  thought  of  my  personal  appearance.  I  realize 
what,  through  the  Father's  mercy,  this  life  has  done  for  me 
spiritually,  but  as  for  the  other,  I  have  never  given  it  an 
instant's  thought." 

"  The  change  is  fully  as  great  in  your  case  as  in  Lu's, 
though  with  you  the  change  has  been  more  gradual,"  he  said. 

I  felt  a  strange  thrill  of  joy  that  when  my  dear  husband 
should  come  to  me,  he  would  find  me  with  the  freshness  and 
comeliness  of  our  earlier  years.  It  was  a  sweet  thought,  and 
my  heart  was  full  of  gratitude  to  the  Father  for  this  further 
evidence  of  hre  loving  care.  So  we  talked  together  as  the 
hours  sped,  until  my  father  said : 

"  Come,  children ;  we  must  not  forget  that  this  dear 
daughter  of  mine  needs  rest  this  first  day  in  her  new  home. 
Let  us  leave  her  and  her  happy  husband  to  their  new-found 
bliss." 

So  with  light  hearts  we  went  our  way,  and  left  them  to 
spend  their  first  hours  in  heaven  together 


CHAPTER  XII. 

Holy,  holy,  holy!    All  the  saints  adore  Thee, 
Casting  down  their  golden  crowns  around  the  glassy  sea; 
Cherubim  and  Seraphim  falling  down  before  Thee, 
Which  wert,  and  art,  and  evermore  shall  be. 

—[Bishop  Heber. 

AFTER  we  had  left  my  parents  and  friends  on  our 
return  from  our  welcome  to  my  sister,  my  brother 
hastened  away  upon  some  mission,  and  I  walked  on 
alone  toward  the  sacred  lake.  I  felt  the  need  of  a  rest  in  its 
soothing  waters  after  the  exciting  scenes  through  which  I 
had  passed.  I  had  hitherto  visited  the  lake  in  the  early 
morning  hours;  it  was  now  something  past  noontide  of  the 
heavenly  day,  and  but  few  persons  lingered  on  the  shore. 
The  boats  that  sped  across  its  calm  surface  seemed  to  be 
filled  rather  with  those  intent  upon  some  duty  than  simply 
pleasure-seekers.  I  walked  slowly  down  into  the  water,  and 
soon  found  myself  floating,  as  at  former  times,  in  mid- 
current.  The  wonderful  prismatic  rays  that  in  the  early 
morning  were  such  a  marvel,  now  blended  into  a  golden 
glory,  with  different  shades  of  rose  and  purple  flashing 
athwart  their  splendor.  To  me  it  seemed  even  more  beauti- 
ful than  the  rainbow  tints;  just  as  the  maturer  joys  of  our 
earthly  life  cast  into  shadow,  somewhat,  the  more  evanescent 

pleasures  of  youth.     I  could  but  wonder  what  its  evening 

101 


102  INTRA    MUROS 

glories  would  be,  and  resolved  to  come  at  some  glowing 
twilight,  and  see  if  they  would  not  remind  me  of  the  calm 
hours  of  life's  closing  day.  I  heard  the  chimes  from  the 
silver  bell  of  the  great  city  ringing  an  anthem  as  I  lay,  and 
its  notes  seemed  to  chant  clearly: 

"  Holy!  Holy!  Holy!  Lord  God  Almighty!"  The  waters 
took  up  the  song  and  a  thousand  waves  about  me  responded, 
"Holy!  Holy!  Holy!" 

The  notes  seemed  to  "  vibrate,"  if  I  may  use  the  expres- 
sion, upon  the  waves,  producing  a  wondrously  harmonious 
effect.  The  front  row  in  the  battalion  of  advancing  waves 
softly  chanted  "  Holy  "  as  they  passed  onward ;  immediately 
the  second  roll  of  waves  took  up  the  word  that  the  first 
seemed  to  have  dropped  as  it  echoed  the  second  "  Holy  "  in 
the  divine  chorus,  then  it,  too,  passed  onward  to  take  up 
the  second  note  as  the  third  advancing  column  caught  the 
first;  and  so  it  passed  and  echoed  from  wave  to  wave,  until 
it  seemed  millions  of  tiny  waves  about  me  had  taken  up 
and  were  bearing  their  part  in  this  grand  crescendo — this 
wonderful  anthem.  Language  fails  me — I  cannot  hope  to 
convey  to  others  this  experience  as  it  came  to  me.  It  was 
grand,  wonderful,  overpowering.  I  lay  and  listened  until 
my  whole  being  was  filled  with  the  divine  melody,  and  I 
seemed  to  be  a  part  of  the  great  chorus,  then  I,  too,  lifted  up 
my  voice  and  joined  with  full  heart  in  the  thrilling  song  of 
praise. 

I   found  that,  contrary  to  my  usual  custom,   I   floated 


INTRA    MUROS  103 

rapidly  away  from  the  shore  whence  I  had  entered  the  water, 
and  after  a  time  was  conscious  that  I  was  approaching  a 
portion  of  the  lake  shore  I  had  never  yet  visited.  Refreshed 
and  invigorated,  I  ascended  the  sloping  banks,  to  find  myself 
in  the  midst  of  a  lovely  suburban  village,  similar  to  the  one 
where  our  own  home  was  situated.  There  was  some  differ- 
ence in  the  architecture  or  construction  of  the  houses,  though 
they  were  no  less  beautiful  than  others  I  had  seen.  Many 
were  constructed  of  polished  woods,  and  somewhat  resembled 
the  finest  of  the  chalets  one  sees  in  Switzerland,  though  far 
surpassing  them  in  all  that  gives  pleasure  to  the  artistic  eye. 

As  I  wandered  on,  feasting  my  eyes  upon  the  lovely  views 
about  me,  I  was  particularly  pleased  by  the  appearance  of  an 
unusually  attractive  house.  Its  broad  verandas  almost  over- 
hung the  waters  of  the  lake,  the  wide  low  steps  running  on 
one  side  of  the  house  quite  to  the  water's  edge.  Several 
graceful  swans  were  leisurely  drifting  about  with  the  cur- 
rent, and  a  bird  similar  to  our  Southern  mocking-bird,  but 
with  softer  voice,  was  singing  and  swinging  in  the  low 
branches  overhead.  There  were  many  larger  and  more 
imposing  villas  near,  but  none  possessed  for  me  the  charm 
of  this  sweet  home. 

Beneath  one  of  the  large  flowering  trees  close  by  this 
cottage  home,  I  saw  a  woman  sitting,  weaving  with  her 
delicate  hands,  apparently  without  shuttle  or  needle,  a  snow- 
white  gossamer-like  fabric  that  fell  in  a  soft  fleecy  heap  at 
her  side  as  the  work  progressed.  She  was  so  very  small  in 


104  1NTRA    MUROS 

stature  that  at  first  glance  I  supposed  she  was  a  child ;  but  a 
closer  scrutiny  showed  her  to  be  a  mature  woman,  though 
with  the  glow  of  youth  still  upon  her  smooth  cheek.  Some- 
thing familiar  in  her  gestures,  rather  than  her  appearance, 
caused  me  to  feel  that  it  was  not  the  first  time  we  had  met ; 
and  growing  accustomed  now  to  the  delightful  surprises  that 
met  me  everywhere  in  this  world  of  rare  delights,  I  drew 
near  to  accost  her,  when,  before  I  could  speak,  she  looked  up, 
and  the  doubt  was  gone. 

"  Maggie!"  "  Mrs.  Sprague  dear!"  we  cried  simultane- 
ously, as,  dropping  her  work  from  her  hands,  she  stepped 
quickly  up  to  greet  me. 

Our  greeting  was  warm  and  fervent,  and  her  sweet  face 
glowed  with  a  welcome  that  reminded  me  of  the  happy  days 
when  we  had  met,  in  the  years  long  gone,  by  the  shore  of 
that  other  beautiful  lake  in  the  world  of  our  earth-life. 

"  Now  I  know  why  I  came  this  way  to-day — to  find  you, 
dear,"  I  said,  as  we  sat  side  by  side,  talking  as  we  never  had 
talked  on  earth;  for  the  sweet  shyness  of  her  mortal  life 
had  melted  away  in  the  balmy  air  of  heaven. 

"  What  is  this  lovely  fabric  you  are  weaving?"  I  presently 
asked,  lifting  the  silken  fleecy  web  in  my  fingers  as  I  spoke. 

"  Some  draperies  for  Nellie's  room,"  she  said.  "  You 
know  we  two  have  lived  alone  together  so  much,  I  thought 
it  would  seem  more  like  home  to  her,  to  us  both,  if  we  did 
the  same  here.  So  this  cottage  is  our  own  special  home,  just 
a  step  from  Marie's,"  pointing  to  an  imposing  house  a  few 


INTRA   MUROS  105 

yards  distant,  "  and  I  am  fitting  it  up  as  daintily  as  I  can, 
especially  her  room." 

"  Oh,  let  me  help  you,  Maggie  dear !"  I  said.  "  It  would 
be  such  a  pleasure  to  me." 

She  hesitated  an  instant,  with  something  of  the  old-time 
shyness,  then  said: 

"  That  is  so  like  you,  dear  Mrs.  Sprague.  I  have  set  my 
heart  on  doing  Nellie's  room  entirely  myself — there  is  no 
hurry  about  it,  you  know — but  if  you  really  would  enjoy  it, 
I  shall  love  to  have  you  help  me  in  the  other  rooms." 

"  And  will  you  teach  me  how  to  weave  these  delicate 
hangings?" 

"  Yes,  indeed.    Shall  I  give  you  your  first  lesson  now?" 

Lifting  the  dainty  thread,  she  showed  me  how  to  toss  and 
wind  it  through  my  fingers  till  it  fell  away  in  shining  folds. 
It  was  very  light  and  fascinating  work,  and  I  soon  was 
weaving  it  almost  as  rapidly  as  she  did. 

"  Now,  I  can  help  Carroll !"  was  my  happy  thought,  as  I 
saw  the  shimmering  fabric  grow  beneath  my  hands.  "  To- 
morrow I  will  go  and  show  him  how  beautifully  we  can 
drape  the  doors  and  windows." 

So  in  heaven  our  first  thought  ever  is  to  give  pleasure 
to  others. 

"  You  are  an  apt  scholar,"  said  Maggie,  laughing  happily; 
"  and  what  a  charming  hour  you  have  given  me !" 

"What  a  charming  hour  you  have  given  me,  my  dear  I" 
I  answered. 


106  1NTRA   MUROS 

When  we  parted  it  was  with  the  understanding  that  every 
little  while  I  was  to  repeat  the  visit.  When  I  urged  her 
likewise  to  come  to  me,  the  old-time  shyness  again  appeared, 
as  she  said : 

"  Oh,  they  are  all  strangers  to  me,  and  here  we  shall  be 
entirely  alone.  You  come  to  me." 

So  I  yielded,  as  in  heaven  we  never  seek  to  gain  reluctant 
consent  for  any  pleasure,  however  dear;  and  many  were 
the  happy  hours  spent  with  her  in  the  cottage  by  the  lake. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"  I  take  these  little  lainbs,"   said  He 

And  lay  them  in  my  breast; 
Protection  they  shall  find  in  Me, 

In  Me  be  ever  blest." 

— [Samuel  Stennett. 

ON  one  of  my  walks  about  this  time,  I  chanced  upon  a 
scene  that  brought  to  mind  what  Mae  had  said  to  me 
about  the  Savior's  love  for  little  children.  I  found  him 
sitting  beneath  one  of  the  flowering  trees  upon  the  lake  shore, 
with  about  a  dozen  children  of  all  ages  clustered  around  him. 
One  dainty  little  tot,  not  more  than  a  year  old,  was  nestled 
in  his  arms,  with  her  sunny  head  resting  confidingly  upon 
his  bosom,  her  tiny  hands  filled  with  the  lovely  water-lilies 
that  floated  everywhere  on  the  waters.  She  was  too  young 
to  realize  how  great  her  privilege  was,  but  seemed  to  be 
enjoying  his  care  to  the  utmost.  The  others  sat  at  his  feet, 
or  leaned  upon  his  knees;  and  one  dear  little  fellow,  with 
earnest  eyes,  stood  by  him,  leaning  upon  his  shoulder,  while 
the  Master's  right  arm  encircled  him.  Every  eye  was  fixed 
eagerly  upon  Jesus,  and  each  child  appeared  alert  to  catch 
every  word  he  said.  He  seemed  to  be  telling  them  some 
very  absorbing  story,  adapted  to  their  childish  tastes  and  ca- 
pacities. I  sat  down  upon  the  sward  among  a  group  of 
people,  a  little  removed  from  the  children,  and  tried  to 

107 


108  INTRA   MVROS 

hear  what  he  was  saying,  but  we  were  toe  far  away  to  catch 
more  than  a  sentence  now  and  then,  and  in  heaven  one 
never  intrudes  upon  another's  privileges  or  pleasures.  So  we 
simply  enjoyed  the  smiles  and  eager  questions  and  excla- 
mations of  the  children,  and  gathered  a  little  of  the  tenor  of 
the  story  from  the  disjointed  sentences  which  floated  to  us. 

"  A  little  child  lost  in  the  dark  woods  of  the  lower 
world — "  we  heard  the  Master  say,  in  response  to  the  in- 
quiring looks  ef  the  interested  children. 

"  Lions  and  bears — "  came  later  on. 

"  Where  was  his  papa?"  asked  an  anxious  voice. 

We  could  not  hear  the  reply,  but  soon  a  little  fellow 
leaning  upon  the  Savior's  knee,  said  confidently :  "  No  lions 
and  bears  up  here !" 

"  No,"  he  replied,  "  nothing  to  harm  or  frighten  my 
little  children  here !" 

Then  as  the  story  deepened  and  grew  in  interest,  and 
the  children  pressed  more  closely  about  the  Master,  he 
turned  with  a  sweet  smile — and  we  could  see  an  increased 
pressure  of  the  encircling  arm — to  the  little  fellow  with  the 
earnest  eyes  who  leaned  upon  his  shoulder,  and  said : 

"  What,  Leslie,  would  you  have  done,  then  ?" 

With  a  bright  light  in  his  eyes  and  a  flush  on  his  fair 
cheek,  the  child  answered  quickly  and  emphatically: 

"  I  should  have  prayed  to  Thee  and  asked  Thee  to  '  close 
the  lion's  mouth,'  as  Thou  didst  for  Daniel,  and  Thou 
wouldst  have  done  it!" 


INTRA   MUROS  109 

"  Ah,"  I  thought,  "  could  C and  H — =r^  see  the  look 

the  beloved  Master  cast  upon  their  boy  as  he  made  his  brave 
reply,  they  would  be  comforted  even  for  the  absence  of  their 
darling." 

Lost  in  these  thoughts,  I  heard  no  more  that  passed,  until 
an  ecstatic  shout  from  the  little  folks  proclaimed  how  satis- 
factorily the  story  had  ended,  and,  looking  up,  I  saw  the 
Savior  passing  onward,  with  the  baby  still  in  his  arms,  and 
the  children  trooping  about  him. 

"  Of  such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  How  well  he  un- 
derstood !  How  much  he  loved  them ! 

I,  too,  arose  and  started  homeward.  I  had  not  gone  far 
before  I  met  my  brether  Frank,  who  greeted  me  with: 

"  I  am  on  my  way  to  the  city  by  the  lake;  will  you  accom- 
pany me?" 

"It  has  been  long  my  wish  to  visit  the  city.  I  only  waited 
until  you  thought  it  wise  for  me  to  go,"  I  answered. 

"  You  are  growing  so  fast  in  the  knowledge  of  the  heaven- 
ly ways,"  he  said,  "  that  I  think  I  might  venture  to  take  you 
almost  anywhere  with  me  now.  You  acquire  the  knowledge 
for  the  very  love  of  it;  not  because  you  feel  it  your  duty  to 
know  what  we  would  have  you  learn.  Your  eagerness  to 
gather  to  yourself  all  truth,  and  at  the  same  time  your 
patient  submission  in  waiting,  ofttimes  when  I  know  the 
trial  is  great,  have  won  for  you  much  praise  and  love  from 
our  dear  Master,  who  watches  eagerly  the  progress  of  us  all 
in  the  divine  life.  I  think  it  only  right  that  you  should 


110  INTRA    MUROS 

know  of  this;  we  need  encouragement  here  as  well  as  in 
the  earth-life,  though  in  a  different  way.  I  tell  you  this  by 
divine  permission.  I  think  it  will  not  be  long  before  He 
trusts  you  with  a  mission;  but  this  I  say  of  myself,  not  by 
his  command." 

It  would  be  impossible  for  me  to  convey,  in  the  language 
of  earth,  the  impression  these  words  of  commendation  left 
upon  me.  They  were  so  unexpected,  so  unforeseen.  I  had 
gone  on,  as  my  brother  said,  eagerly  gathering  the  knowledge 
imparted  to  me,  with  a  genuine  love  for  the  study  of  all 
things  pertaining  to  the  blessed  life,  without  a  thought  that 
I  in  any  way  deserved  commendation  for  so  doing ;  and  now 
I  had  won  the  approbation  of  the  Master  himself!  The 
happiness  seemed  almost  more  than  I  had  strength  to  bear. 

"  My  brother,  my  dear  brother!"  was  all  I  could  say,  in 
my  deep  joy,  stopping  suddenly  and  looking  up  into  his 
face  with  grateful  tears. 

"  I  am  so  glad  for  you,  little  sister!"  he  said,  warmly 
clasping  my  hand.  "  There  are,  you  see,  rewards  in  heaven ; 
it  does  my  soul  good  that  you  have  unconsciously  won  one 
of  these  so  soon." 

I  would  I  might  record  in  detail  the  precious  words  of 
wisdom  that  fell  from  his  lips;  I  would  that  I  might  recount 
minutely  the  events  of  that  wonderful  life  as  it  was  un- 
folded to  me  day  by  day;  but  I  can  only  say,  "  I  may  not." 
When  I  undertook  to  make  a  record  of  that  never-to-be- 
forgotten  time,  I  did  not  realize  how  many  serious  difficulties 


1NTRA   MUROS  111 

I  would  have  to  encounter ;  how  often  I  would  have  to  pause 
and  consider  if  1  might  really  reveal  this  truth  or  paint  that 
scene  as  it  appeared  to  me.  The  very  heart  has  often  been 
left  out  of  some  wonderful  scene  I  was  attempting  to  de- 
scribe, because  I  found  I  dared  not  reveal  its  sacred  secret. 
I  realize  painfully  that  the  narrative,  as  I  am  forced  to  give 
it,  falls  infinitely  short  of  what  I  hoped  to  make  it  when  I 
began.  But  bear  with  me;  it  is  no  fancy  sketch  I  am  draw- 
ing, but  the  veritable  life  beyond,  as  it  appeared  to  me  when 
the  exalted  spirit  rose  triumphant  over  the  impoverished 
flesh,  made  slavishly  subservient  through  suffering. 

My  brother  and  I  walked  slowly  back  to  the  margin  of  the 
lake,  where  we  stepped  into  a  boat  lying  near  the  shore,  and 
were  at  once  transported  to  the  farther  shore  of  the  lake,  and 
landed  upon  a  marble  terrace — the  entrance  to  the  city  by 
the  lake.  I  never  knew  by  what  power  these  boats  were  pro- 
pelled. There  were  no  oarsmen,  no  engine,  no  sails,  upon 
the  one  in  which  we  crossed  the  water ;  but  it  moved  steadily 
onward  till  we  were  safely  landed  at  our  destination.  Lux- 
uriously cushioned  seats  were  all  around  it,  and  upon  one  of 
them  lay  a  musical  instrument,  something  like  a  violin,  al- 
though it  had  no  bow,  but  seemed  to  be  played  by  the  ringers 
alone.  Upon  another  seat  lay  a  book.  I  picked  it  up  and 
opened  it;  it  seemed  to  be  a  continuation  of  that  book  that 
has  stirred  and  thrilled  millions  of  hearts  in  the  mortal  life 
—"The  Greatest  Thing  in  the  World."  As  I  glanced 
through  it  while  we  journeyed,  I  grasped  the  truth  that  this 


112  1NTRA    MUROS 

great  mind  already  had  grappled  with  the  mighty  things  of 
eternity  and  given  food  to  immortals,  even  as  he  had  to 
those  in  mortal  life  in  the  years  gone  by. 

I  was  roused  from  my  thoughts  by  the  boat  touching  the 
marble  terrace,  and  found  my  brother  already  standing 
waiting  to  assist  me  to  the  shore.  Passing  up  a  slight  ac- 
clivity, we  found  ourselves  in  a  broad  street  that  led  into 
the  heart  of  the  city.  The  streets  I  found  were  all  very 
broad  and  smooth,  and  paved  with  marble  and  precious 
stones  of  every  kind.  Though  they  were  thronged  with 
people  intent  on  various  duties,  not  an  atom  of  debris,  or 
even  dust,  was  visible  anywhere.  There  seemed  to  be  vast 
business  houses  of  many  kinds,  though  I  saw  nothing  re- 
sembling our  large  mercantile  establishments.  There  were 
many  colleges  and  schools,  many  book  and  music-stores  and 
publishing  houses;  several  large  manufactories,  where,  I 
learned,  were  spun  the  fine  silken  threads  of  manifold  colors 
which  were  so  extensively  used  in  the  weaving  of  the 
draperies  I  have  already  mentioned.  There  were  art  rooms, 
picture  galleries  and  libraries,  and  many  lecture  halls  and 
vast  auditoriums.  But  I  saw  no  churches  of  any  kind.  At 
first  this  somewhat  confused  me,  until  I  remembered  that 
there  are  no  creeds  in  heaven,  but  that  all  worship  together 
in  harmony  and  love — the  children  of  one  and  the  same 
loving  Father.  "  Ah,"  I  thought,  "  what  a  pity  that  that 
fact,  if  no  other  in  the  great  economy  of  heaven,  could  not  be 
proclaimed  to  the  inhabitants  of  earth!  How  it  would  do 


1NTRA   MUROS  113 

away  with  the  petty  contentions,  jealousies  and  rivalries  of 
the  church  militant!  No  creeds  in  heaven!  No  contro- 
verted points  of  doctrine !  No  charges  of  heresy  brought  by 
one  professed  Christian  against  another!  No  building  up  of 
one  denomination  upon  the  ruins  or  downfall  of  a  different 
sect!  But  one  great  universal  brotherhood  whose  head  is 
Christ,  and  whose  corner-stone  is  Love."  I  thought  of  the 
day  we  had  listened  in  the  great  auditorium  at  home  to  the 
divine  address  of  our  beloved  Master;  of  the  bowed  heads 
and  uplifted  voices  of  that  vast  multitude  as  every  voice 
joined  in  the  glorious  anthem,  "  Crown  Him  Lord  of  All!" 
and  I  could  have  wept  to  think  of  the  faces  that  must  some 
day  be  bowed  in  shame  when  they  remember  how  often  they 
have  in  mortal  life  said  to  a  brother  Christian,  "  Stand  aside; 
I  am  holier  than  thou!" 

We  found  no  dwelling-houses  anywhere  in  the  midst  of 
the  city,  until  we  came  to  the  suburbs.  Here  they  stood  in 
great  magnificence  and  splendor.  But  one  pleasing  fact  was 
that  every  home  had  its  large  door-yard,  full  of  trees  and 
flowers  and  pleasant  walks;  indeed,  it  was  everywhere,  out- 
side of  the  business  center  of  the  town,  like  one  vast  park 
dotted  with  lovely  houses.  There  was  much  that  charmed, 
much  that  surprised  me  in  this  great  city,  of  which  I  may 
not  fully  speak,  but  which  I  never  can  forget.  We  found  in 
one  place  a  very  large  park,  with  walks  and  drives  and  foun- 
tains and  miniature  lakes  and  shaded  seats,  but  no  dwellings 
or  buildings  of  any  kind,  except  an  immense  circular  open 


114  1NTRA    MUROS 

temple  capable  of  seating  many  hundred;  and  where,  my 
brother  told  me,  a  seraph  choir  assembled  at  a  certain  hour 
daily  and  rendered  the  oratorios  written  by  the  great  musical 
composers  of  earth  and  heaven.  It  had  just  departed,  and 
the  crowd  who  had  enjoyed  its  divine  music  yet  lingered  as 
though  loath  to  leave  a  spot  so  hallowed. 

"  We  will  remember  the  hour,"  my  brother  said,  "  and 
come  again  when  we  can  hear  them." 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

Not  all  the  archangels  can  tell 

The  joys  of  that  holiest  place, 
Where  the  Father  is  pleased  to  reveal 

The  light  of  His  heavenly  face. 

— [Charles  Wesley. 

"  And  the  temple  was  filled  with  smoke  from  the  glory  of  God, 
and  from  his  power." — Rev.  15:  8. 

STILL  passing  through  the  park,  we  came  out  upon  the 
open  country,  and  walked  some  distance  through  flow- 
ery meadows  and  undulating  plains.     At  length  we 
entered  a  vast  forest  whose  great  trees  towered  above  us  like 
swaying  giants.     The  day  was  well-nigh  spent — the  day  so 
full  of  joy  and  glad  surprises  and  happy  hours!     Full  as  it 
had  been  I  felt  there  was  still  something  left  for  me,  deep 
hidden  in  the  twilight-valley  of  the  day ;  something  that  held 
my  soul  in  awe,  as  the  last  moments  preceding  the  Holy 
Sacrament. 

My  brother  walked  by  me,  absorbed  in  silent  thought,  but 
with  a  touch  beyond  even  his  usual  gentleness.  I  did  not  ask 
where  we  were  going  at  that  unusual  hour,  so  far  from 
home,  for  fear  and  doubt  and  questionings  no  longer  vexed 
the  quiet  of  my  soul.  Although  the  forest  was  dense,  the 
golden  glow  of  the  twilight  rested  beneath  the  trees,  and 
sifted  down  through  the  quivering  branches  overhead,  as 
though  falling  through  the  windows  of  some  grand  cathe- 
dral. 

116 


116  1NTRA   MUROS 

At  length  we  emerged  from  the  forest  upon  a  vast  plain 
that  stretched  out  into  illimitable  space  before  us,  and  far 
away  we  faintly  heard  the  thunder  of  the  breaking  waves  of 
that  immortal  sea  of  which  I  had  heard  so  much  but  had  not 
yet  seen.  But  for  their  faint  and  distant  reverberation  the 
silence  about  us  was  intense.  We  stood  a  moment  upon  the 
verge  of  the  forest,  then  as  we  advanced  a  few  steps  into 
the  plain  I  became  aware  that  immediately  to  our  right 
the  ground  rose  into  quite  an  elevation;  and,  as  I  turned,  a 
sight  broke  upon  my  bewildered  eyes  that  the  eternal  years 
of  earth  and  heaven  can  never  efface.  Upon  the  summit  of 
this  gentle  slope  a  Temple  stood,  whose  vast  dome,  massive 
pillars  and  solid  walls  were  of  unsullied  pearl,  and  through 
whose  great  mullioned  windows  shone  a  white  radiance  that 
swallowed  up  the  golden  glow  of  the  twilight  and  made  it  its 
own.  I  did  not  cry  aloud  nor  hide  my  face,  as  at  former 
revelations;  but  I  sank  slowly  to  my  knees,  and,  crossing  my 
hands  upon  my  breast,  with  uplifted  face,  stilled  heart  and 
silent  lips,  laid  my  whole  being  in  worship  at  His  feet  "  who 
sitteth  upon  the  throne."  How  long  I  knelt  thus  I  know 
not.  Even  immortal  life  seemed  lost  before  that  greatest  of 
celestial  mysteries.  At  length  my  brother,  who  had  been 
silently  kneeling  beside  me,  arose,  and,  lifting  me  to  my  feet, 
whispered  gently,  "  Come." 

I  felt  rather  than  saw  that  his  face  was  colorless  with  the 
depth  of  his  emotion,  and  I  yielded  to  his  guidance  in  silence. 
A  long  flight  of  low,  broad  steps,  in  gradations,  rose  from 


INTRA   MUROS  117 

almost  where  we  stood  to  the  very  door  of  the  Temple. 
They,  too,  were  of  solid  pearl,  bordered  on  either  side  by 
channels  paved  with  golden  stones  through  which  coursed 
crystal  waters  that  met  and  mingled  in  one  stream  far  out 
upon  the  plain.  Ascending  these  steps,  we  entered  the 
Temple,  and  for  a  moment  stood  in  silence.  I  do  not  know 
how  it  was,  but  in  that  brief  instant — it  may  have  been 
longer  than  I  knew — every  detail  of  that  wonderful  interior 
was  fastened  upon  my  memory  as  a  scene  is  photographed 
upon  the  artist's  plate.  Heretofore  it  had  taken  repeated 
visits  to  a  room  to  enable  me  to  describe  it  correctly  in 
detail,  but  this,  in  a  lightning's  flash,  was  stamped  upon  the 
tablet  of  my  memory  indelibly  for  all  time — nay,  for  eternity. 
The  immense  dome,  at  that  moment  filled  with  a  luminous 
cloud,  was  upheld  by  three  rows  of  massive  pillars  of  gold. 
The  walls  and  floors  were  of  pearl,  as  also  the  great  plat- 
form that  filled  at  least  one-third  of  the  Temple  upon  the 
eastern  side.  There  were  no  seats  of  any  kind.  The  great 
golden  pillars  stood  like  rows  of  sentinels  upon  the  shining 
floor.  A  railing  of  gold  ran  entirely  around  the  platform 
upon  the  three  sides,  so  that  it  was  inaccessible  from  the  body 
of  the  Temple.  Beneath  this  railing,  upon  the  temple-floor, 
a  kneeling-step  passed  around  the  platform,  also  of  pearl.  In 
the  center  of  the  platform  an  immense  altar  of  gold  arose, 
supported  by  seraphs  cf  gold  with  outspread  wings,  one  at 
each  corner;  and  underneath  it,  in  a  great  pearl  basin, 
a  fountain  of  sparkling  water  played,  and  I  knew  intuitively 


118  1NTRA    MUROS 

it  was  the  source  of  the  magical  river  that  flowed  through 
the  gardens  of  heaven  and  bore  from  us  the  last  stains  of 
death  and  sin. 

Nothing  living,  beside  ourselves,  was  within  the  Temple 
except  two  persons  who  knelt  with  bowed  heads  beside  the 
altar-rail  upon  the  farther  side;  but  by  the  altar  stood  four 
angels,  one  upon  either  side,  dressed  in  flowing  garments  of 
white,  with  long,  slim  trumpets  of  gold  uplifted  in  their 
hands,  as  though  waiting  in  expectancy  the  signal  for  their 
trumpet  call.  Long  draperies  of  silvery  gossamer  hung  in 
heavy  folds  back  of  the  altar  platform.  Suddenly,  in  the  mo- 
ment that  we  looked,  we  saw  the  draperies  tremble  and  glow 
until  a  radiance  far  beyond  the  splendor  of  the  sun  at  mid- 
day shone  through  them,  and  the  whole  Temple  was  "  filled 
with  the  glory  of  the  Lord."  We  saw,  in  the  midst  of  the 
luminous  cloud  that  filled  the  dome,  the  forms  of  angelic 
harpers,  and  as  we  dropped  with  bowed  heads  beside  the 
altar-rail  and  hid  our  faces  from  the  "  brightness  of  His  com- 
ing," we  heard  the  trumpet-call  of  the  four  angels  about  the 
altar,  and  the  voices  of  the  celestial  harpers  as  they  sang: 

"Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  Lord  God  Almighty! 

All  thy  works  shall  praise  thy  name,  in  earth,  and  sky.  and  sea. 

Holy,  Holy,  Holy,  merciful  and  mighty, 

God  in  three  persons — blessed  Trinity.     Amen!" 

The  voices  softly  died  away;  the  last  notes  of  the  golden 
trumpets  had  sounded ;  "  and  there  was  silence  in  heaven." 
We  knew  that  the  visible  glory  of  the  Lord  was,  for  the 


INTRA   MUROS  119 

present,  withdrawn  from  the  Temple  which  is  his  throne; 
still  we  knelt  with  bowed  heads  in  silent  worship  before 
him.  When  at  last  we  arose  I  did  not  lift  my  eyes  while 
within  the  Temple;  I  desired  it  to  remain  upon  my  memory 
as  it  appeared  when  filled  with  his  glory. 

We  walked  some  time  in  silence,  I  leaning  upon  my 
brother's  arm,  for  I  yet  trembled  with  emotion.  I  was  sur- 
prised that  we  did  not  return  into  the  forest,  but  went  still 
farther  out  upon  the  plain.  But  when  I  saw  that  we  ap- 
proached the  confluence  of  the  two  streams  which  issued 
from  the  fountain  beneath  the  altar,  I  began  to  understand 
that  we  would  return  by  way  of  the  river,  instead  of  by 
forest  and  lake. 

We  reached  the  stream,  at  length,  and,  stepping  into  a 
boat  that  lay  by  the  shore,  we  were  soon  floating  with  the 
current  toward  home.  We  passed  through  much  beautiful 
scenery  on  our  course  that  I  had  not  seen  before,  and  which 
I  resolved  I  would  visit  in  the  future,  when  leisure  from 
my  daily  duties  would  permit.  Lovely  villas,  surrounded  by 
beautiful  grounds  stretching  directly  up  from  the  water's 
edge,  lay  on  both  sides  of  the  river,  and  formed  a  panorama 
upon  which  the  eye  never  tired  of  resting.  Toward  the  end 
of  the  journey  we  passed  my  sister's  lovely  home,  and  we 
could  plainly  see  her  and  her  husband  drinking  in  the  scene 
with  enraptured  eyes,  from  the  window  of  her  own  room. 

My  brother  and  I  were  both  silent  the  greater  part  of 
the  time  during  our  journey  homeward,  though  each  noted 


120  INTRA   MUROS 

with  observant  eyes  the  signs  of  happy  domestic  life  by 
which  we  were  surrounded  on  every  side.  The  verandas 
and  steps  of  the  homes  we  passed  were  full  of  their  happy 
inmates;  glad  voices  could  be  constantly  heard,  and  mercy 
shouts  of  laughter  came  from  the  throngs  of  little  children 
playing  everywhere  upon  the  flowery  lawns.  Once  I  broke 
our  silence  by  saying  to  my  brother: 

"  I  have  been  more  than  once  delightfully  surprised  to 
hear  the  familiar  songs  of  earth  reproduced  in  heaven,  but 
never  more  so  than  I  was  to-day.  That  hymn  has  long  been 
a  favorite  of  mine." 

"  These  happy  surprises  do  not  come  by  chance,"  he 
answered.  "  One  of  the  delights  of  this  rare  life  is  that 
no  occasion  is  ever  overlooked  for  reproducing  here  the  pure 
enjoyments  of  our  mortal  life.  It  is  the  Father's  pleasure 
to  make  us  realize  that  this  existence  is  but  a  continuance 
of  the  former  life,  only  without  its  imperfections  and  its 
cares." 

"  Frank,  I  believe  you  are  the  only  one  of  our  friends 
here  who  has  never  questioned  me  about  the  dear  ones  left 
behind;  why  is  it?" 

He  smiled  a  peculiarly  happy  smile  as  he  answered :  "  Per- 
haps it  is  because  I  already  know  more  than  you  could  tell 
me." 

"  I  wondered  if  it  was  not  so,"  I  said,  for  I  remembered 
well  how  my  dear  father  had  said,  in  speaking  of  my  brother 
upon  the  first  day  of  my  coming,  "  He  stands  very  near  to 


INTRA   MUROS  121 

the  Master,"  and  I  knew  how  often  he  was  sent  upon  mis- 
sions to  the  world  below. 

I  lay  down  upon  my  couch,  on  our  return,  with  a  heart 
overflowing  with  joy  and  gratitude  and  love,  beyond  the 
power  of  expression;  and  it  seemed  to  me  the  tenderness  in 
the  Divine  eyes  that  looked  down  upon  me  from  the  wall  was 
deeper,  purer,  holier  than  it  had  ever  been  before. 

"  I  will  reach  the  standard  of  perfection  you  have  set  for 
me,  my  Savior,"  I  faltered,  with  clasped  hands  uplifted  to 
him,  "  if  it  takes  all  my  life  in  heaven  and  all  the  help  from 
all  the  angels  of  light  to  accomplish  it;"  and  with  these 
words  upon  my  lips,  and  his  tender  eyes  resting  upon  me,  I 
sank  into  the  blissful  repose  of  heaven. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

I  shall  know  the  loved  who  have  gone  before, 
And  joyfully  sweet  will  the  meeting  be, 

When  over  the  river,  the  peaceful  river, 
The  Angel  of  Death  shall  carry  me. 

— [Nancy  A.  W.  Priest. 

SO  much  occurred,  and  so  rapidly,  from  the  very  hour  of 
my  entrance  within  the  beautiful  gates,  that  it  is  im- 
possible for  me  to  transcribe  it  all.  I  have  been  able 
only  to  cull  here  and  there  incidents  that  happened  day  by 
day ;  and  in  so  doing  many  things  I  would  gladly  have  related 
have  unconsciously  been  omitted.  Of  the  many  dear  friends 
I  met,  only  a  very  few  have  been  mentioned,  for  the  reason 
that,  of  necessity,  such  meetings  are  so  similar  in  many 
respects  that  the  constant  repetition,  in  detail,  would  become 
wearisome.  I  have  aimed  principally  to  give  such  incidents 
as  would  show  the  beautiful  domestic  life  in  that  happy 
world;  to  make  apparent  the  reverence  and  love  all  hearts 
feel  toward  the  blessed  Trinity  for  every  good  and  perfect 
gift,  and  to  show  forth  the  marvelous  power  of  the  Christ- 
love  even  in  the  life  beyond  the  grave. 

This  world,  strange  and  new  to  me,  held  multitudes  of 
those  I  had  loved  in  the  years  gone  by,  and  there  was  scarce- 
ly an  hour  that  did  not  renew  for  me  the  ties  that  once  were 
severed  in  the  mortal  life.  I  remember  that  as  I  was  walking 
one  day  in  the  neighborhood  of  Mrs.  Wickham's  home, 

123 


124  INTRA    MUROS 


shortly  after  my  first  memorable  visit  there,  I  was  attracted 
by  an  unpretentious  but  very  beautiful  house,  almost  hid- 
den by  luxuriant  climbing  rose  vines,  whose  flowers  of 
creamy  whiteness  were  beyond  compare  with  any  roses  I  had 
yet  seen  in  earth  or  heaven.  Meeting  Mrs.  Wickham,  I 
pointed  to  the  house  and  asked :  "  Who  lives  there  ?" 

"  Suppose  you  go  over  and  see,"  she  said. 

"  Is  it  any  one  I  know?"  I  asked. 

"  I  fancy  so.  See,  someone  is  even  now  at  the  door  as 
though  expecting  you." 

I  crossed  over  the  snowy  walk  and  flowery  turf — for  the 
house  stood  in  an  angle  formed  by  two  paths  crossing,  al- 
most opposite  Mrs.  Wickham's — and  before  I  could  ascend 
the  steps  I  found  myself  in  the  embrace  of  two  loving  arms. 

"  Bertha  Sprague !  I  was  sure  it  *  -as  you  when  I  saw  you 
go  to  Mrs.  Wickham's  a  day  or  two  ago.  Did  not  she  tell 
you  I  was  here?" 

"  She  had  no  opportunity  until  to-day,"  I  said.  "  But  dear 
Aunt  Ann,  I  should  have  found  you  soon;  I  am  sure  you 
know  that." 

"  Yes,  I  am  sure  you  would." 

Then  I  recounted  to  her  something  of  my  visit  to  Mrs. 
Wickham's  that  eventful  day.  She  listened  with  her  dear 
face  full  of  sympathy,  then  said: 

"There,  dear,  you  need  not  tell  me.  Do  I  not  know? 
When  the  Master  comes  to  gladden  my  eyes,  I  have  no 
thought  or  care  for  anything  beyond,  for  days  and  days! 


INTRA   MUROS  125 

Oh,  the  joy,  the  peace  of  knowing  I  am  safe  in  this  blessed 
haven!  How  far  beyond  all  our  earthly  dreams  is  this 
divine  life!" 

She  sat  for  a  moment  lost  in  thought,  then  said  wistfully: 
"  Now,  tell  me  of  my  children — are  they  coming?" 

I  gladdened  her  heart  with  all  the  cheering  news  I  could 
bring  of  her  loved  ones;  and  so  we  talked  the  hours  away, 
recalling  many  sweet  memories  of  the  earth-life,  of  friends 
and  home  and  family  ties,  and  looking  forward  to  the  future 
coming  to  us  of  those  whom  even  the  joys  of  heaven  could 
not  banish  from  our  hearts. 

Then  also  another  evening,  as  the  soft  twilight  fell,  and 
many  of  our  dear  home  circle  were  gathered  with  us  in  the 
great  "  flower-room,"  we  heard  a  step  upon  the  veranda,  and 
as  my  brother  went  to  the  open  door  a  gentle  voice  said : 

"  Is  Mrs.  Sprague  really  here?" 

"  She  is  really  here.  Come  and  see  for  yourself."  And 
sweet  Mary  Green  entered  the  room. 

"  I  am  so  glad  to  welcome  you  home!"  she  said,  coming 
to  me  with  extended  hands,  and  looking  into  mine  with  her 
tender,  earnest  eyes. 

"  My  precious  girl!"  I  cried,  taking  her  to  my  heart  in  a 
warm  embrace.  "  I  have  been  asking  about  you,  and  longing 
to  see  you." 

"  I  could  scarcely  wait  to  reach  here  when  I  heard  that 
you  had  come.  Now,  tell  me  everything— everything!"  she 
said  as  I  drew  her  to  a  seat  close  beside  me. 


126  1NTRA    MUROS 

But  questions  asked  and  the  answers  given  are  too  sacred 
for  rehearsal  here.  Every  individual  member  of  her  dear 
home-circle  was  discussed,  and  many  were  the  incidents  she 
recounted  to  me  that  had  occurred  in  her  presence  when  her 
mother  and  I  were  together  and  talking  of  the  dear  child  we 
considered  far  removed  from  our  presence. 

"  I  was  often  so  close  that  I  could  have  touched  you  with 
my  hand,  had  the  needed  power  been  given,"  she  said. 

After  a  long,  close  converse  had  been  held  between  us, 
I  took  her  to  the  library,  whither  the  rest  had  gone  to  ex- 
amine a  new  book  just  that  day  received.  I  introduced  her 
to  them  all  as  the  daughter  of  dear  friends  still  on  earth, 
confident  of  the  welcome  she  would  receive.  My  youngest 
sister  and  she  at  once  became  interested  in  each  other,  finding 
congeniality  in  many  of  their  daily  pursuits,  and  I  was  glad 
to  believe  they  would  henceforth  see  much  of  each  other  in 
many  different  ways. 

There  was  no  measurement  of  time  as  we  measure  it  here, 
although  many  still  spoke  in  the  old-time  language  of 
"  months  "  and  "  days  "  and  "  years."  I  have  no  way  of 
describing  it  as  it  seemed  to  me  then.  There  were  periods, 
and  allotted  times;  there  were  hours  for  happy  duties,  hours 
for  joyful  pleasures,  and  hours  for  holy  praise.  I  only  know 
it  was  all  harmony,  all  joy,  all  peace,  at  all  times  and  in  all 
conditions. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


There  is  an  endearing  tenderness  in  the  love  of  a  mother  to  a 
son,  that  transcends  all  other  affections  of  the  heart.  It  is  neither 
to  be  chilled  by  selfishness,  nor  daunted  by  danger,  nor  weakened 
by  worthlessness,  nor  stifled  by  ingratitude.  She  will  sacrifice 
every  comfort  to  his  convenience;  she  will  surrender  every 
pleasure  to  his  enjoyment;  she  will  glory  in  his  fame,  and  exult 
in  his  prosperity;  and  if  adversity  overtake  him,  he  will  be  the 
dearer  to  her  by  misfortune;  and  if  disgrace  settle  upon  his  name, 
she  will  still  love  and  cherish  him;  and  if  all  the  world  beside 
cast  him  off,  she  will  be  all  the  world  to  him. — [Washington 
Irving. 


THE  current  of  my  life  flowed  on  in  the  heavenly 
ways,  until  the  months  began  to  lengthen  into  years 
and  my  daily  studies  ascended  higher  in  the  scale  of 
celestial  mysteries.  I  never  wearied  of  study,  though  much 
was  taught  and  gained  through  the  medium  of  observation 
in  the  journeys  that  I  was  permitted  to  take  with  my  brother 
into  different  parts  of  the  heavenly  kingdom.  I  never  lacked 
time  for  social  pleasures  and  enjoyments,  for  there  is  no 
clashing  of  duties  with  inclination,  no  unfulfilled  desires,  no 
vain  strivings  for  the  unattainable  in  that  life,  as  in  the  life 
of  earth.  Many  precious  hours  of  intercourse  were  spent 
in  my  dear  father's  home,  and  sometimes  on  rare  occasions  I 
was  permitted  to  accompany  him  to  his  field  of  labor  and 
assist  him  in  instructing  those  lately  come  into  the  new  life 
with  little  or  no  preparation  for  its  duties  and  responsibilities. 
On  ojie  occasion  he  said  to  me : 

137 


129  1NTRA   MUROS 

"  I  have  the  most  difficult  problem  to  deal  with  I  have  ever 
yet  met  in  this  work.  It  is  how  to  enlighten  and  help  a  man 
who  suddenly  plunged  from  an  apparently  honorable  life  into 
the  very  depths  of  crime.  I  have  never  been  able  to  get 
him  to  accompany  me  to  the  river,  where  these  earthly  cob- 
webs would  be  swept  from  his  poor  brain ;  his  excuse  being 
always  that  God's  mercy  is  so  great  in  allowing  him  inside 
heaven's  gates  at  all,  that  he  is  content  to  remain  always  in 
its  lowest  scale  of  enjoyment  and  life.  No  argument  or 
teaching  thus  far  can  make  him  alter  his  decision.  He  was 
led  astray  by  infatuation  for  a  strange  woman,  and  killed  his 
aged  mother  in  order  to  secure  her  jewels  for  this  wretched 
creature.  He  was  executed  for  the  crime,  of  which  in  the 
end  he  sincerely  repented,  but  he  left  life  with  all  the 
horror  of  the  deed  clinging  to  his  soul." 

"  Has  he  seen  his  mother  since  coming  here?  Does  she 
know  of  his  arrival?" 

"  No;  she  is  entirely  alone  in  this  world,  and  it  was  not 
thought  wise  to  tell  her  of  his  coming  till  his  soul  was  in  a 
better  condition  to  receive  her.  He  was  an  only  child,  and 
does  not  lack  the  elements  of  refinement,  but  he  was  com- 
pletely under  the  control  of  this  vile  though  fascinating 
woman.  It  is  said  she  drugged  his  wine  and  incited  him 
to  do  the  dreadful  deed  while  under  its  influence,  because  of 
her  hatred  for  his  mother,  whose  influence  was  against  her. 
When  he  came  from  under  the  influence  of  the  wine,  he 
was  horrified  at  what  he  had  done,  and  his  infatuation  for 


witn  man 
an  antjd , 
n\\  the/ 


INTRA   MUROS  129 

the  woman  turned  to  loathing — but,  alas,  too  late!  He 
would  not  see  her  during  his  entire  incarceration." 

"  How  long  was  he  in  prison  ?" 

"  Almost  a  year." 

"Has  he  seen  the  Christ?" 

"  No;  he  begs  not  to  see  him.  He  is  very  repentant,  and 
grateful  to  be  saved  from  the  wrath  he  feels  was  his  just 
punishment,  but  though  he  is  conscious  that  his  sin  is  for- 
given, he  does  not  yet  feel  that  he  can  ever  stand  in  the 
presence  of  the  Holy  One.  And  here,  as  upon  earth,  each 
must  be  willing  to  receive  him.  His  presence  is  never  given 
undesired.  I  have  not  yet  appealed  for  higher  help ;  my  am- 
bition is  to  lead  these  weak  souls  upward  through  the 
strength  entrusted  to  me.  Can  you  suggest  anything  that 
would  probably  reach  him?" 

"  His  mother.    May  I  bring  her?" 

He  thought  a  moment  reflectively,  then  said :  "  A  wom- 
an's intuition.  Yes,  bring  her." 

I  soon  was  on  my  way.  I  found  the  poor  woman,  laid  the 
facts  gently  before  her,  and  waited  her  decision.  There  was 
no  hesitancy  upon  her  part ;  in  an  instant  she  said,  "  My  poor 
boy!  Certainly  I  will  go  with  you  at  once." 

We  found  my  father  waiting  for  us,  and  went  immediate- 
ly to  the  great  "  Horn*  "  where  tbes*  "  students  "-"-would 
we  call  them  ?-*-staye<l.  It  was  a  beautiful  great  building 
in  the  midst  of  a  park,  with  shaded  walks  ami  fountains  and 
flowers  everywhere.  To  one  )uet  freed  f lom  earth  it  seemed 


130  INTRJ    MUROS 

a  paradise  indeed ;  but  to  those  of  us  who  had  tasted  heaven's 
rarer  joys,  something  was  wanting.  We  missed  the  lovely 
individual  homes,  the  little  children  playing  on  the  lawns,  the 
music  of  the  angel  choir;  it  was  tame  indeeJ  beside  the 
pleasures  we  had  tasted. 

We  found  the  young  man  seated  beneath  one  of  the 
flower-laden  trees,  intently  perusing  a  book  that  my  father 
had  left  with  him.  There  was  a  peaceful  look  on  his  pale 
face,  but  it  was  rather  the  look  of  patient  resignation  than 
of  ardent  joy.  His  mother  approached  him  alone;  my  father 
and  I  remaining  in  the  background.  After  a  little  time  he 
glanced  up  and  saw  his  mother  standing  near  him.  A 
startled  look  came  into  his  face,  and  he  rose  to  his  feet.  She 
extended  her  arms  toward  him,  and  cried  out  pathetically, 
"  John,  my  dear  boy,  come  home  to  me — I  need  you !"  That 
was  all. 

With  a  low  cry  he  knelt  at  her  feet  and  clasped  her  knees, 
sobbing:  "  Mother!  mother!" 

She  stooped  and  put  her  tender  arms  about  him ;  she  drew 
his  head  gently  to  her  breast  and  showered  kisses  on  his 
bowed  head.  Oh,  the  warm  mother-love,  the  same  in  earth 
and  heaven!  Only  the  Christ-love  can  exceed  it.  Here  was 
this  outraged  mother,  sent  into  eternity  by  the  hands  of  him 
who  should  have  shielded  and  sustained  her,  bending  above 
her  repentant  son  with  the  mother-love  with  which  her 
heart  was  overflowing  shining  upon  him  from  her  gentle 
eyes.  I  saw  my  father  turn  his  head  to  conceal  his  emotion, 


INTRA   MUROS  131 

and  I  knew  that  my  own  eyes  were  wet.  My  father  had 
explained  to  the  mother  that  the  first  thing  to  be  accom- 
plished was  to  get  her  son  to  the  river,  so  we  now  heard  her 
say  caressingly: 

"  Come,  John,  my  boy,  take  the  first  step  upward,  for  your 
mother's  sake,  that  in  time  I  may  have  the  joy  of  seeing 
you  in  our  own  home.  Come,  John,  with  mother." 

She  gently  drew  him,  and  to  our  great  joy  we  saw  him 
rise  and  go  with  her,  and  their  steps  led  them  to  the  river. 
They  walked  hand  in  hand,  and  as  far  as  we  could  see  them 
she  seemed  to  be  soothing  and  comforting  him. 

"Thank  God!"  said  my  father  fervently.  "There  will 
be  no  further  trouble  now.  When  they  return  he  will  see 
with  clearer  vision."  And  so  it  proved. 

After  this,  by  divine  permission,  I  became  much  of  the 
time  a  co-laborer  with  my  father,  and  thus  enjoyed  his 
society  and  his  instructions  much  oftener  than  otherwise  I 
could  have  done. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

"  Some  day,"  we  say,  and  turn  our  eyes 
Toward  the  fair  bills  of  Paradise; 
Some  day,  some  time,  a  sweet  new  rest 
Shall  blossom,  flower-like,  in  each  breast. 
Some  day,  some  time,  our  eyes  shall  see 
The  faces  kept  in  memory; 
Some  day  their  hand  shall  clasp  oar  hand, 
Just  over  in  the  Morning-land — 
O  Morning-land!    O  Morning-land! 

—[Edward  H.  Phelps. 

ONE  evening,  some  three  years — counted  by  the  calen- 
dar of  earth — after  I  had  entered  upon  the  joys  and 
duties  of  the  heavenly  life,  I  sat  resting  upon  the  up- 
per veranda  of  our  home,  after  a  somewhat  arduous  journey 
to  a  distant  city  of  the  heavenly  realm.  From  this  part  of 
the  veranda  we  caught  rare  glimpses  of  the  river  through 
the  overhanging  branches  of  the  trees;  and  just  below  us,  at 
a  little  distance,  we  could  see  the  happy  children  at  their 
play  upon  the  lawn.  Here  my  brother  sought  me  out,  and 
throwing  himself  upon  a  soft  veranda  lounge  near,  lay  for  a 
time  motionless  and  silent.  He  looked  as  wearied  as  one 
can  ever  look  in  that  life,  but  I  felt  no  anxiety  about  him, 
for  I  knew  the  rest  was  sure.  He  had  been  absent  on  some 
earth-mission  much  of  the  time  for  many  days,  and  I  knew 
from  experience  that  some  of  the  fatigue  and  care  of  earth 
will  cling  to  us  on  such  occasions,  till  we  are  restored  by 
heaven's  balmy  air  and  life-giving  waters.  He  had  not  told 

133 


134  INTR4    MUROS 

me,  as  he  sometimes  did,  where  his  mission  had  led  him,  and 
I  had  not  asked  him,  feeling  sure  that  all  it  was  best  I 
should  know  would  be  imparted.  My  own  duties  had  of  late 
been  unusually  responsible,  leading  me  daily  to  a  distant 
part  of  the  heavenly  kingdom,  hence  I  myself  had  not  visited 
the  beloved  of  earth  for  a  much  longer  period  than  usually 
elapsed  between  my  visits.  When  last  seen,  all  of  the  dear 
ones  had  seemed  in  such  vigorous  health  and  were  so  sur- 
rounded by  earthly  blessings  that  I  had  ceased  to  feel  they 
needed  my  ministrations  as  in  the  early  days  of  their  sorrow, 
hence  I  had  thrown  all  of  my  energies  into  the  work  assigned 
me  by  the  Master. 

At  length,  after  a  time  of  rest,  my  brother  arose  to  a 
sitting  posture,  and  regarding  me  for  a  moment  in  silence, 
said  gently:  "  I  have  news  for  you,  little  sister." 

A  thrill  like  an  electric  shock  passed  through  me,  and  in 
an  instant  I  cried  out  joyously:  "  He  is  coming!" 

He  nodded  his  head,  with  a  sympathetic  smile,  but  did  not 
at  once  reply. 

"  When  will  it  be?    Am  I  to  go  to  him?"  I  asked. 

He  hesitated  an  instant  before  saying:  "  Of  course  you 
are  permitted  to  go,  if  your  heart  will  not  be  denied." 

"  Oh,  I  must  go  to  him!  I  must  be  the  first  to  greet  him! 
Perhaps  it  may  be  granted  him  to  see  me  even  while  he  is  yet 
in  the  flesh." 

He  shook  his  head  sadly  at  this,  and  said,  "  No,  dear ;  he 
will  not  know  you." 


INTRA    MUROS  135 

"  Why  ?  Frank,  tell  me  all — and  why  you  think,  as  I 
plainly  see  you  do,  that  it  is  not  best  I  should  go." 

"  He  was  stricken  suddenly  in  the  midst  of  his  work,  while 
apparently  in  perfect  health,  and  has  not  regained  con- 
sciousness since;  nor  will  he  ever  on  earth.  Hence  your 
presence  could  be  no  solace  to  him." 

"When  was  this?" 

"  Three  days  ago ;  I  have  been  with  him  almost  constantly 
by  day  and  night  ever  since." 

"  Oh,  why  did  you  not  sooner  tell  me?" 

"  It  was  thought  wise  to  spare  you  the  unnecessary  pain 
of  seeing  him  suffer  when  you  could  not  minister  to  him, 
and  I  have  come  to  tell  you  now  that  you  may  go  if  you 
still  so  desire." 

"  He  will  know  me  as  soon  as  the  struggle  is  past?" 

"  Yes,  but  he  will  be  bewildered  and  weak ;  he  will  need 
stronger  help  and  guidance  than  you  alone  can  give,  and  you 
will  miss  the  rapture  of  the  meeting  as  it  would  be  a  little 
later  on." 

"  What  would  you  have  me  do  ?  You  know  I  will  yield 
to  your  wiser  judgment  even  against  the  pleadings  of  my 
heart.  But  I  can  wait!" 

"  I  will  not  say,  '  do  not  go.'  You  shall  accompany  me 
if  you  wish.  I  only  think  that  after  the  first  bewilderment 
of  the  change  has  passed,  after  he  has  bathed  in  the  waters 
of  the  River  of  Life,  he  will  be  better  prepared  for  the  de- 
lightful reunion  which  awaits  him.  You  remember  what  the 


136  1NTRA    ML'ROS 

waters  did  for  you,  and  how  bewildered  and  oppressed  in 
spirit  you  were  till  you  went  with  me  that  morning,  into  the 
river.  It  is  the  same  with  all  of  us,  only  where  there  has 
been  serious  trouble  with  the  brain  at  last,  it  is  even  more 
needed  than  on  ordinary  occasions.  And  that  is  the  case  with 
my  brother;  he  will  not  be  fully  himself  until  the  magical 
waters  have  swept  the  clouds  from  his  brain." 

"  You  are  always  right,  my  brother,  and  I  will  yield  to 
your  wise  advice,  although  my  heart  cries  out  to  hasten  at 
once  to  his  side.  When  will  you  return  to  him  ?" 

"  Immediately.  There  will  be  little  time  to  wait.  With 
the  quickening  of  the  morning  light  we  will  be  here.  My 
brave-hearted,  wise  little  sister,  the  delay  will  be  to  you 
neither  sorrowful  nor  long." 

He  arose,  and,  bending  over  me,  dropped  a  kiss  lightly  on 
my  brow,  and  in  a  moment  he  had  passed  from  my  sight. 

"  How  strange,"  I  thought,  "  that  even  in  this  matter,  so 
near  to  my  heart,  I  am  able  to  yield  unmurmuringly !  Father, 
I  thank  Thee!  I  thank  Thee  for  the  glad  reunion  so  near 
at  hand ;  but,  even  more  than  that,  for  the  sweet  submission 
in  all  things  that  has  grown  into  my  life ;  that  I  can  yield  to 
Thy  will  even  when  Thou  wouldst  permit  it  to  be  other- 
wise." 

I  bowed  my  head  upon  my  hand  and  gave  myself  up  to 
mingled  sad  and  happy  thoughts.  Was  he,  this  dearly  loved 
one,  indeed  insensible  to  his  suffering?  Would  the  Father 
mercifully  spare  him  even  the  pang  of  the  parting?  Oh,  that 


1NTRA   MUROS  137 

the  morning  were  here !  How  could  I  wait  even  that  brief 
while  for  the  sight  of  the  beloved  face! 

Suddenly  a  soft  touch  rested  upon  my  bowed  head,  and  a 
Voice  I  had  learned  to  recognize  and  love  beyond  all  things 
in  earth  or  heaven  said :  "  Have  I  not  said  truly,  '  Though 
he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live  again  '  ?  What  are  now  the 
years  of  separation,  since  the  meeting  again  is  at  hand? 
Come,  and  let  us  reason  a  little  together,"  the  Master  said, 
smiling  down  into  my  uplifted  face.  He  took  my  extended 
hand  into  his  own,  and  sitting  down  beside  me,  continued : 

"  Let  us  consider  what  these  years  have  done  for  you.  Do 
you  not  feel  that  you  are  infinitely  better  prepared  to  confer 
happiness  than  when  you  parted  from  him  you  love?" 

I  nodded  in  glad  affirmation. 

"  Do  you  not  realize  that  you  stand  upon  a  higher  plane, 
with  more  exalted  ideas  of  life  and  its  duties;  and  that,  in 
the  strength  of  the  Father,  you  two  henceforward  will  walk 
upward  together?" 

Again  I  gladly  acquiesced. 

"  Is  the  home-life  here  less  attractive  than  it  was  in  the 
earth-life?" 

"  No,  no !    A  thousand  times  no !"  I  cried. 

"  Then  there  is  nothing  but  joy  in  the  reunion  at  hand  ?" 

"  Nothing  but  joy,"  I  echoed. 

Then  the  Savior  led  me  on  to  talk  of  the  one  so  soon  to 
come,  and  I  opened  my  glad  heart  to  him  and  told  him  of 
the  noble  life,  the  unselfish  toil,  the  high  aspirations,  the  un- 


138  1NTRA   MUROS 

faltering  trust  of  him  I  loved.  I  spoke  of  his  fortitude  in 
misfortune,  his  courage  in  the  face  of  sore  trial  and  disap- 
pointment, his  forgiveness  of  even  malicious  injury;  and 
concluded  by  saying,  "  He  lived  the  Christianity  many  others 
professed.  He  always  distanced  me  in  that." 

The  face  of  the  Master  glowed  in  sympathy  as  I  talked, 
and  when  I  ceased  he  said :  "  I  perceive  that  you  have 
discovered  the  secret  which  makes  marriage  eternal  as  the 
years  of  heaven." 

"Oh,"  I  said,  "  to  me  marriage  must  be  eternal!  How 
could  it  be  otherwise  when  two  grow  together  and  become  as 
one?  Death  cannot  separate  them  without  destroying;  they 
are  no  longer  two  perfect  beings,  but  one  in  soul  and  spirit 
forever." 

"  Aye,"  he  answered ;  "  but  having  the  marriage  rite  pro- 
nounced does  not  produce  this  change.  It  is  the  divinity  of 
soul  wedded  to  soul  alone  that  can  do  it." 

So  he  led  me  on  until  my  soul  flew  upward  as  a  lark  in 
the  early  morning.  He  unfolded  to  me  mysteries  of  the  soul- 
life  that  filled  my  heart  with  rapture,  but  which  I  may  not 
here  reveal.  At  length,  to  my  infinite  surprise,  I  saw  the 
rosy  glow  deepening  across  the  sky,  and  k.iew  that  morning 
— love's  morning — had  dawned  for  me  in  heaven.  The 
Master  arose,  and  pointing  to  the  radiance,  said :  "  By  the 
time  thou  art  ready  to  receive  them  they  will  be  here;"  and 
with  a  smile,  and  a  touch  that  made  a  benediction,  he  de- 
parted. 


INTRA   MUROS  139 

As  I  arose  and  stood  with  face  uplifted  to  the  coming 
day,  I  caught  in  the  near  distance  the  triumphant  notes  of 
the  angels'  choral  song;  and  this  morning,  as  though  in 
sympathy  with  my  thought,  they  sang: 

"He  is  risen!  Hear  it,  ye  heavens,  and  ye  sons  of  earth!  He 
is  risen,  and  has  become  the  firstfruits  of  them  that  slept!" 

I  lifted  up  my  voice  with  joy,  and  joined  their  thrilling 
song;  and  as  they  swept  onward  and  the  cadence  died  away, 
I  slowly  descended  the  stairway,  crossed  the  lawn  whose 
flowers  never  crushed  or  withered  beneath  our  feet,  and 
sank  for  a  moment  beneath  the  pure  waters  of  the  river. 
I  felt  no  haste,  no  unwonted  excitement  or  unrest,  though  I 
knew  that  he  was  coming  for  whom  my  soul  had  waited  all 
these  years.  The  Master's  presence  had  filled  me  with  calm 
and  peace  that  nothing  had  power  to  disturb;  had  prepared 
and  fitted  me  for  the  great  happiness  lying  just  before  me. 

Uplifted  with  a  new,  strange  delight,  I  recrossed  the 
lawn,  stopping  upon  the  veranda  before  entering  the  house, 
to  gather  a  knot  of  cream-white  roses  and  fasten  them  to  my 
breast.  Then  going  to  the  library,  I  refilled  the  golden 
bowl  with  the  spicy-breathed  scarlet  carnations,  laying  one 
aside  to  fasten  upon  my  husband's  shoulder.  I  wanted  to 
myself  gather  the  flowers  that  would  greet  him  on  his 
coming.  I  twisted  up  my  hair  in  the  manner  that  he  had 
most  admired,  and  fastened  a  creamy  bud  within  the  folds, 
that  I  might  seem  to  him  as  I  had  of  old. 


140  INTRJ   MUROS 

Soon  thereafter  I  heard  voices  and  steps.  Listen!  Yes, 
it  is  the  same  dear  step  for  which  I  had  so  often  listened  in 
the  old  home-life,  the  step  that  had  always  brought  gladness 
to  my  heart,  and  sunshine  in  our  home!  His  step  in  heaven! 
I  flew  to  the  open  doorway,  and  in  an  instant  was  held  close 
in  the  strong  arms  and  to  the  loving,  throbbing  heart  of  my 
dear  husband.  Was  there  anything  more  for  me  that  heaven 
could  give! 

My  brother,  with  thoughtful  care,  passed  onward  to  the 
upper  rooms  of  the  house,  and  for  awhile  we  were  alone 
together,  we  whose  lives  had  run,  so  happily  mingled, 
through  the  long  years  of  our  mortal  life.  I  drew  him  with- 
in the  house,  and  in  the  vestibule  again  he  took  me  in  his 
arms  and  drew  me  to  his  heart. 

"  This  is  heaven  indeed !"  he  said. 

We  passed  into  the  "  flower-room,"  and  on  its  threshold 
he  stood  a  moment,  entranced  with  its  beauty;  but  when  I 
would  have  related  to  him  its  history,  as  my  brother  had 
given  it  to  me,  he  said :  "  Not  to-day,  my  dear ;  I  have  only 
eyes  and  ears  for  you  to-day ;  all  else  in  heaven  must  wait." 

So  we  sat  and  talked  together  as  in  the  olden  days,  and  the 
happy  hours  came  and  went,  and  the  day  melted  into  the 
twilight  glow,  before  we  realized  it  was  half  spent.  Our 
brother  Frank  had  come  to  us  about  the  noontide,  and  to- 
gether we  had  gone  over  the  lovely  house,  had  stood  upon  the 
broad  verandas  and  eaten  of  the  heavenly  fruit.  Then  we 
all  sat  together  where  I  had  spent  the  hours  waiting  in 


1NTRA   MUROS  141 

the  presence  of  the  blessed  Master.  I  told  them  much  that 
he  then  had  said  to  me,  and  how  he  turned  into  triumphant 
rejoicing  the  hours  which  I  had  anticipated  would  pass  in 
lonely  waiting.  The  eyes  of  my  dear  husband  were  tear- 
filled,  and  he  pressed  my  hand,  which  he  still  kept  in  his,  in 
tender  sympathy. 

"  Oh,  darling,  it  is  a  blessed,  blessed  life!"  I  said. 

"  I  already  realize  the  blessedness,"  he  replied,  "  for  has 
it  not  given  me  back  my  brother  and  my  wife — my  precious 
wife!" 

Early  the  following  morning  I  said  to  my  husband  and  our 
brother :  "  We  must  go  to  father  and  mother  Sprague's  to- 
day. They  have  the  first  claim,  after  ours,  Frank." 

"  Yes,  we  will  go  at  once,"  they  both  replied. 

So  together  we  all  started.  In  the  earliest  days  of  my 
heavenly  life  I  had  sought  out  with  much  joy  the  home  of 
my  husband's  parents,  and  was  by  them  accorded,  as  in 
the  earth-life,  a  warm  place  in  their  hearts,  and  many  happy 
hours  had  we  spent  together  since.  Now  we  were  taking  to 
them  a  favorite  son,  and  I  realized  how  his  coming  would 
bring  gladness  to  their  hearts  and  home.  It  was  a  joyful 
meeting,  especially  to  our  mother,  and  the  day  was  far  spent 
before  we  arose  to  return. 

"  William,"  said  our  mother,  fondly  laying  her  hand  upon 
his  arm,  "  yours  was  a  happy  home  on  earth — I  used  to  think 
a  perfect  home;  it  will  be  far  happier  here,"  with  a  loving 
glance  at  me. 


142  MTRA   MUROS 

"  I  am  sure  of  that,  mother.  I  have  my  dear  wife  and 
Frank  constantly  with  me;  and  you  and  my  father  and 
Josephine  " — a  favorite  niece — "  to  come  to  here ;  and  after 
awhile,"  with  a  little  hesitation,  "  the  holier  joys  and  privi- 
leges of  heaven." 

We  turned  to  go,  and  upon  the  threshold  met  an  aunt  who 
in  the  earth-life — blind  and  helpless — had  been  a  favorite 
with  us  all. 

"  My  dear  children,"  she  exclaimed,  "  how  good  it  seems 
to  see  you  all  again !" 

"  Aunt  Cynthia!"  my  husband  said  fondly. 

"  Yes,  Aunt  Cynthia,  but  no  longer  groping  helpless  in  the 
darkness.  '  Whereas  I  once  was  blind,  now  I  see,'  "  she 
quoted,  smiling  happily. 

And  so  it  was — the  Master's  touch  had  rested  on  the 
sightless  eyes,  and,  closing  to  the  darkness  of  earth,  they  had 
opened  upon  the  glories  of  heaven.  Marvelous  transition! 
No  wonder  we  left  her  singing: 

Glory  to  Him  who  this  marvel  hath  wrought, 
Filling  my  spirit  with  joy  and  delight! 

Lo,  in  my  blindness  I  safely  hare  walked 
Out  of  the  darkness  into  the  light! 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Down  by  the  sea,  the  crystal  sea, 
Where  all  of  the  redeemed  shall  be, 
Where  you  and  I,  beloved,  shall  go, 
Our  crimson  robes  washed  white  as  snow 
In  Christ's  dear  blood — what  hymns  of  praise 
Thro'  countless  ages  we  shall  raise! 
There  all  our  loved  ones  we  shall  see — 
Think  what  a  meeting  that  will  be 
Down  by  the  sea! 

— [From  "  Songs  by  the  Sea." 

DAYS  lengthened  into  weeks,  and  weeks  into  months, 
and  these  in  turn  crept  onward  into  years,  and  the 
duties  and  joys  of  heaven  grew  clearer  and  dearer 
with  each  passing  hour.  Our  home-life  was  perfect,  though 
we  looked  forward  with  joy  to  the  future  coming  of  our 
son  and  daughter  to  make  its  ties  complete.  We  had  often 
spoken  of  going  together  to  the  great  celestial  sea,  but  the 
time  had  never  seemed  quite  ripe  for  so  doing.  We  realized 
it  was  one  of  the  great  mysteries  of  heaven,  although  we 
knew  not  just  what  to  expect,  since  there  no  one  ever  seeks 
to  forestall  sight  by  description.  One  evening  I  said  to  my 
brother : 

"  I  have  a  strange  desire  to  go  to  the  sea,  if  you  think  it 
wise  that  we  should  do  so." 

"  I  am  glad  that  it  is  your  desire  to  go,  as  it  is  mine  to 
have  you.  I  was  about  to  propose  that  you  and  my  brother 
should  take  together  this  blessed  journey." 

143 


144  INTRA    MUROS 

"  Will  you  not  accompany  us?" 

"  Not  at  this  time.  We  will  all  take  it  again  together, 
but  it  is  best  that  now  you  two  should  go  alone.  You  know 
the  way.  Through  the  forest  that  leads  to  the  Tempi?,  till 
almost  there;  then  bear  to  the  right  and  follow  the  golden 
path  that  takes  you  direct  to  the  shore." 

So,  in  the  quivering  light  of  the  glorious  morning  we 
started,  full  of  a  holy  joy  that  together  we  might  take  this 
special  journey.  We  entered  and  traversed  the  great  forest, 
where  the  golden  light  fell  through  the  quivering  branches 
overhead,  and  birds  of  gorgeous  plumage  and  thrilling  song 
were  darting  everywhere.  We  heard,  nearer  and  ever 
nearer,  the  regular  dashing  of  the  waves  against  the  shore; 
and  now  there  came  to  us  bursts  of  triumphant  song  and  the 
harmony  of  many  instruments  of  music.  At  length  we 
emerged  from  the  forest,  and  stood  mute  and  motionless 
before  the  overwhelming  glory  of  the  scene  before  us. 

Can  I  describe  it  as  it  appeared  to  me  that  day?  Never, 
until  my  lips  can  speak,  and  your  heart  understand,  the 
language  of  the  royal  courts  above.  From  our  very  feet 
sloped  downward  toward  the  shore  a  golden  strand  many 
hundred  feet  wide,  and  extending  on  either  hand  far  beyond 
the  limits  of  our  vision.  This  strand  caught  and  radiated 
the  morning  light  until  wherever  it  was  visible  it  glittered 
and  glimmered  like  the  dust  of  diamonds  and  other  precious 
stones,  and  the  waves,  as  they  came  and  went  in  ceaseless 
motion,  caught  up  this  sparking  sand  and  carried  it  on  their 


INTRA   MUROS  145 

crests,  like  the  phosphorescence  we  sometimes  sec  in  the  wake 
of  a  vessel  in  mid-ocean.  And  the  sea!  It  spread  out  before 
us  in  a  radiance  that  passes  description  in  any  language  I 
have  ever  known.  It  was  like  the  white  glory  that  shone 
through  the  windows  of  the  Temple,  and  beneath  this  shin- 
ing glory  we  caught  in  the  roll  of  the  waves  the  blue  tint  of 
the  waters  of  that  sea  which  has  no  limit  to  its  depths  or 
bounds.  Upon  its  shining  bosom  we  saw  in  every  direction 
boats,  representing  all  nations,  but  in  beauty  of  construction 
far  surpassing  anything  earth  has  ever  known.  They  were 
like  great  open  pleasure-barges,  and  were  filled  with  people 
looking  with  eager  faces  toward  the  shore,  many  in  their 
eagerness  standing  erect  and  gazing  with  wistful,  expectant 
eyes  into  the  faces  of  those  upon  the  shore. 

Ah,  the  people  upon  the  shore!  "  Numberless  as  the  sands 
of  the  sea,"  they  stood,  far  as  the  eye  could  reach,  far  as 
stretched  the  shore  of  that  illimitable  sea,  a  great  mass  of 
beautiful  souls  clad  in  the  spotless  garments  of  the  redeemed. 
Many  among  them  had  golden  harps  and  various  instruments 
of  music,  and  whenever  a  boat  touched  the  shore  and  its 
inmates  were  welcomed  by  the  glad  voices  and  tender  em- 
braces ef  their  beloved  ones  in  the  throng,  the  harps  would  be 
held  aloft,  all  of  the  golden  instruments  would  sound,  and 
the  vast  multitude  would  break  forth  into  the  triumphant 
song  of  victory  over  death  and  the  grave. 

"  Do  these  people  stand  here  always,  I  wonder?"  I  said 
softly. 


146  INTR4   MUROS 

"  Not  the  same  people,"  said  a  radiant  being  near  us,  who 
had  heard  my  question.  "  But  there  is  always  a  throng  of 
people  here — those  who  are  expecting  friends  from  the  other 
life,  and  those  who  assemble  to  share  their  joy.  Some  of 
the  heavenly  choristers  also  are  always  here,  but  not  always 
the  same  ones.  You  will  notice  that  most  of  those  who 
arrive  are  led  quietly  away  by  their  friends,  and  many  others 
are  constantly  joining  the  multitude." 

He  passed  onward  toward  the  shore,  and  left  us  rapt  in 
awe  and  wonder. 

We  soon  became  deeply  interested  in  watching  the  re- 
unions, and  found  ourselves  joining  with  rapture  in  the  glad 
songs  of  rejoicing.  Now  and  then  a  face  we  remembered 
to  have  seen  on  earth  would  be  among  the  eager  faces  in  the 
boats,  but  none  that  had  been  especially  dear  to  us;  still  it 
made  us  notice  more  closely  and  sympathize  more  heartily 
with  those  who  welcomed  beloved  friends.  Now  we  would 
see  a  wife  caught  in  the  close  embrace  of  a  waiting  husband ; 
now  a  little  child  with  a  glad  cry  would  spring  into  the 
outstretched  arms  of  the  happy  mother;  friend  would  clasp 
friend  in  glad  reunion,  and  here  an  aged  mother  would  be 
folded  to  the  heart  of  a  beloved  child. 

As  one  boat  of  more  than  usual  strength  and  beauty  came 
riding  gracefully  over  the  waves,  we  observed  the  tall  figure 
of  a  man  standing  near  her  prow  with  his  arms  about  a 
graceful  woman  who  stood  by  his  side.  Each  shaded  with 
uplifted  hand  from  their  dazzled  eyes  the  unwonted  splendor 


INTRA    MUROS  147 

and  scanned,  wistfully  and  searchingly,  the  faces  of  the 
crowd  as  the  boat  neared  the  shore.  Suddenly  with  a  great 
thrill  of  joy  surging  through  my  being,  I  cried  out : 

"  It  is  our  precious  son,  and  his  dear  wife !  And  they  have 
come  together!" 

In  an  instant  we  were  swiftly  moving  through  the  throng 
that  parted  in  ready  sympathy  to  let  us  pass.  And,  as  the 
boat  touched  the  shore,  with  a  swift  movement  they  were 
both  beside  us — the  dear  daughter  already  close  clasped  to 
the  hearts  of  her  own  happy  parents  who  were  waiting  near 
the  water's  edge,  while  at  the  same  instant  we  felt  the  arms 
of  our  beloved  son  enfolding  us ;  and  soon  thereafter  we  were 
all  in  each  other's  embrace.  Oh,  what  a  rapturous  moment 
was  that!  Our  home  life  in  heaven  complete,  no  partings 
forever!  As  we  stood  with  encircling  arms,  scarcely  realiz- 
ing the  unexpected  bliss,  the  heavenly  choir  broke  into  song; 
and  with  uplifted  faces  radiant  with  joy,  eyes  filled  with 
happy  tears  and  voices  trembling  with  emotion,  we  all  joined 
in  the  glad  anthem: 

Glory  be  unto  the  Father,  and  unto  the  Son! 
Glory  be  unto  the  ever-blessed  Three  in  One! 
No  more  sorrow,  no  more  parting,  no  more  grief  or  pain; 
Christ  has  broken  death's  strong  fetters,  we  are  free  again! 
Heart  to  heart  and  hand  to  hand, 
Meet  we  on  the  golden  strand. 
Glory,  glory  to  the  Father!    Glory  to  the  Son! 
Glory  be  unto  the  ever-blessed  Three  in  One! 
Alleluia!     Amen! 


148  1NTRA   MUROS 

The  song  rose  and  swelled  triumphantly  as  the  vast  multi- 
tude caught  it  up,  and  the  surge  of  the  waves  made  a  deep 
undertone  to  the  melody  that  increased  its  solemnity,  as  with 
bowed  heads  and  full  hearts  we  passed  onward  hand  in 
hand ;  and  the  light  that  fell  about  us  was  purer,  holier,  more 
divine,  than  it  had  ever  been  before. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Can  such  things  be, 

And  overcome  us  like  a  summer's  cloud, 

Without  our  special  wonder? 

— [  Shakespeare. 

A  TIME  came  when  one  day  as  I  stood  in  my  lovely 
room  that  had  really  become  to  me  a  shrine,  and 
looked  up  into  the  pictured  face  of  the  Christ  above 
me,  I  fancied  that  the  tender  eyes  looking  down  into  mine  no 
longer  told  of  a  deathless  love  alone,  but  carried  in  their 
depths  a  pity,  a  loving  compassion  which  I  had  never  noticed 
there  before.  Then  as  I  turned  toward  my  couch  I  even 
fancied  that  his  hands  reached  out  from  the  canvas  and  rested 
in  benediction  on  my  head.  I  stood  a  moment  in  blessed 
peace  before  him,  then  as  the  hands  seemed  to  be  withdrawn, 
I  turned  and  lay  down  for  an  instant's  rest.  But  strange 
thoughts  and  fancies  crept  into  my  brain,  such  as  I  had  not 
known  in  years.  I  felt  confused  and  bewildered,  and  started 
up  restlessly  from  my  pillow,  only  to  fail  back  again  in 
doubt,  and  something  akin  to  dread.  What  could  it  mean? 
Could  the  old  unrest  of  earth  find  place  in  this  divine  re- 
treat ?  Then  I  heard  unfamiliar  voices.  Someone  said : 

"  Her  color  is  better  than  it  has  been  for  several  days, 
I  think." 

149 


150  INTRA   MUROS 

"  Yes,  there  is  no  doubt  but  she  is  better  to-day.  There  is 
really  hope  for  her  now,  I  am  sure.  But  she  came  very 
near  passing  through  the  Gates." 

"  Very  near  passing  through  the  Gates  " !  As  though  I 
had  not  passed  through,  and  in  returning  left  them  so  ajar 
that  gleams  of  the  heavenly  radiance  from  beyond  them  will 
fall  about  my  life  forever! 

I  have  been  in  my  Father's  house. 

"  We  shall  know  each  other  there !" 


SUPPLEMENTAL  CHAPTER 


IN   the   many   letters  received   since   the  publication  of 
"  Intra  Muros,"  repeated  inquiries  have  been  made  of 
me  on  different  points  contained  in  the  book,  requiring 
much  correspondence,  and  it  has  been  suggested  that  possibly 
the  addition  of  a  few  pages,  as  a  supplement  to  the  book, 
might  explain  some  matters,  or,  possibly,  make  more  clear 
some  points  that  have  not  been  fully  comprehended  by  the 
reader. 

Let  me  in  the  beginning  reassert  what  I  have  heretofore 
stated :  that  I  have  never  claimed  that  this  strange  experience 
is  either  a  revelation  or  an  inspiration.  It  came  to  me  during 
a  period  of  great  physical  suffering  and  prostration,  and  I 
have  always  considered  it  as  sent  in  compensation  for  that 
suffering.  Be  this  as  it  may,  it  has  been  a  great  comfort  and 
help  to  me,  and,  through  the  letters  received  from  others,  I 
am  led  to  believe  it  has  been  the  same  to  many  who  have 
read  it,  for  which  cause  I  am  extremely  gratified.  I  wish 
that  I  might  give  the  entire  experience  just  as  it  came  to  me, 
but  I  find  that  earth-language  is  wholly  inadequate  for  me  to 
do  so.  There  were  so  many  mysteries,  so  many  teachings  far 
beyond  anything  that  in  this  life  we  have  known,  that  I  find 
myself  bewildered  and  lost  when  I  attempt  to  convey  to 

151 


152  INTRJ   MUROS 

others  the  marvelous  things  that  at  that  time  seemed  indeed 
to  me  to  be  a  most  wonderful  revelation. 

The  question  has  repeatedly  been  asked  me,  "  Was  this  a 
real  experience,  or  merely  a  fanciful  sketch?"  What  I  have 
written  above  will  as  nearly  answer  that  question  as  it  is 
possible  for  me  to  do.  The  preface  and  early  pages  as  given 
in  the  little  volume  are  as  nearly  accurate  as  I  can  make 
them;  and  anything  that  I  might  add  on  that  point  would 
simply  be  superfluous.  To  me,  at  the  time,  it  was  as  real 
as  any  experience  in  this  life  could  possibly  be. 

Questions  have  been  asked  respecting  the  comparative  dis- 
tances in  heaven  and  our  powers  of  passing  from  one  point 
to  another;  and  the  question  has  even  been  asked  if  in  the 
other  life  we  developed  wings  that  aided  us  in  passage,  as  the 
wings  of  a  bird.  These  matter-of-fact  questions  are  some- 
times quite  difficult  to  answer,  for  my  belief  is,  that  if  I 
were  really  in  the  other  life,  as  during  this  experience  I 
seemed  to  be,  my  thoughts  would  be  so  far  above,  so  lifted 
beyond  such  temporal  matters,  that  I  would  be  unable  to 
answer  such  inquiries  satisfactorily  on  my  return  to  this 
life.  Looking  back  upon  it  now,  and  trying  to  gather  facts 
from  the  impressions  that  I  then  received,  I  should  say  that 
none  who  have  ever  passed  through  mortal  life  would  in 
any  way  be  changed  from  their  present  personal  appearance, 
except  to  be  etherealized  and  glorified.  When  I  seemed  to 
stand  in  that  wonderful  Temple  filled  with  the  Glory  of 
God  the  Father,  four  angels  with  uplifted  trumpets  stood 


INTRA   MUROS  153 

beside  the  golden  altar  on  the  great  platform  of  pearl,  and 
from  their  shoulders  shadowy  pinions  enfolded  them  and 
touched  the  floor  upon  which  they  stood.  And  when,  in  a 
moment  of  bewildering  emotion,  I  lifted  my  eyes  to  the 
erstwhile  cloud-filled  dome,  I  saw  about  the  hitherto  invisible 
choir,  the  shadowy  pinions  of  which  we  so  often  read,  half 
concealing  the  harps  and  instruments  of  gold.  Also,  when 
at  the  close  of  that  wonderful  day  when  I  had  first  met  the 
Savior,  we  heard  the  angel  voices  as  we  stood  together  in 
the  great  flower-room,  and,  looking  upward,  saw  the  child 
faces  in  the  golden  twilight  above  us,  they,  too,  had  delicate 
shadowy  wings,  half  concealing  the  baby  forms.  Except 
for  this,  I  have  no  recollection  of  having  seen  any  of  those 
glorious  wings  of  which  we  so  often  read. 

To  me  it  seems  that  to  the  angels  of  God  who  have  always 
lived  in  heaven,  these  are  given;  but  to  those  who  have 
suffered  and  toiled  and  borne  the  cross  below,  is  given  only 
the  glorified  form,  such  as  our  Savior  himself  bore.  We 
appear  to  our  friends  when  we  meet  them  over  there  just  as 
they  saw  us  here,  only  purified  and  perfect.  Still,  we  had 
powers  of  locomotion  given  us  that  carried  us  from  point  to 
point  swiftly  and  securely,  as  though  borne  by  a  boat  upon 
the  waters. 

I  do  not  know  how  I  can  better  illustrate  this  point  than 
by  giving  a  little  incident  not  mentioned  in  the  book.  I 
remember,  as  I  sat  one  morning  upon  the  upper  terrace  in 
the  house  of  my  sister  whom  I  had  welcomed  there  soon  after 


154  INTRA   MUROS 

my  arrival,  and  who,  though  really  then  a  denizen  of  earth, 
has  since  passed  over  and  taken  possession  of  that  beautiful 
home  prepared  for  her,  that  my  sister  said  to  me: 

"  I  often  look  across  the  river  to  those  lovely  hills  in  the 
distance,  and  wonder  if  it  is  all  as  beautiful  there  as  here.  I 
mean  some  day  to  go  and  see." 

"  Why  not  go  to-day?"  was  my  answer. 

"  Could  you  go  with  me  this  morning?"  was  her  inquiry, 
as  she  turned  her  radiant  face  again  toward  the  river  and 
the  lovely  fields  beyond. 

"  With  pleasure,"  I  replied.  "  I  have  often  wished  to  go 
myself.  There  is  something  very  inviting  in  the  beautiful 
landscape  beyond  the  river.  Where  is  my  brother  Oliver?" 
I  asked;  "  will  he  not  accompany  us?" 

"  No,"  she  said,  looking  smilingly  toward  me,  "  he  has 
gone  upon  an  important  mission  for  the  Master  to-day ;  but 
you  and  I,  dear,  can  go,  and  be  at  home  again  before  his 
return." 

"  Then  let  us  do  so,"  I  replied,  rising  and  giving  her  my 
hand. 

She  at  once  arose,  and,  instead  of  turning  toward  the  stair- 
way in  the  center  of  the  building,  we  turned  and  walked  de- 
liberately to  the  low  coping  that  surrounded  the  upper  veran- 
da. Without  a  moment's  hesitation  we  stepped  over  this  into 
the  sweet  air  that  lay  about  us.  There  was  no  more  fear  of 
falling  than  if  our  feet  had  been  upon  the  solid  earth.  We 
had  the  power  of  passing  through  the  air  at  will,  and  through 


fN  TRA   MUROS  155 

the  water,  just  as  we  had  the  power  of  walking  upon  the 
crystal  paths  and  greensward  about  us. 

We  ascended  slightly  until  we  were  just  above  the  tree- 
tops,  and  then — what  shall  I  say? — we  did  not  fly,  we  made 
no  effort  either  with  our  hands  or  our  feet ;  I  can  only  think 
of  the  word  "  drifting  "  that  will  at  all  describe  this  won- 
derful experience.  We  went  as  a  leaf  or  a  feather  floats 
through  the  air  on  a  balmy  day,  and  the  sensation  was  most 
delightful.  We  saw  beneath  us  through  the  green  branches 
of  the  trees  the  little  children  playing,  and  the  people  walk- 
ing— some  for  pleasure,  some  for  duty.  As  we  neared  the 
river  we  looked  down  on  the  pleasure-boats  upon  the  water 
and  upon  the  people  sitting  or  lying  or  walking  on  the 
pebbly  bottom;  and  we  saw  them  with  the  same  distinctness 
as  though  we  were  looking  at  them  simply  through  the  at- 
mosphere. 

Conversing  as  we  drifted  onward,  we  soon  were  over  the 
tops  of  the  hills  to  which  we  had  looked  so  longingly  from 
the  veranda  of  my  sister's  house,  and,  for  some  time,  we  had 
no  words  to  exchange ;  our  hearts  were  filled  with  sensations 
such  as  only  the  scenes  of  heaven  can  give.  Then  my  sister 
said  very  softly,  quoting  from  one  of  the  old  earth-hymns: 

"  Sweet  fields  beyond  the  swelling  flood, 
Stand  dressed  in  living  green." 

And,  in  the  same  spirit,  I  answered,  "  It  is  indeed  a  rap- 
turous scene — 


156  INTRJ   MUROS 

"  '  That  rises  to  our  sight, 
Sweet  fields  arrayed  in  living  green,  and  rivers  of  delight.' " 

As  we  passed  onward,  in  looking  down  we  began  to  see 
many  suburban  villages,  similar  to  that  in  which  our  own 
happy  homes  were  situated.  Among  many  of  them  there  was 
an  unfamiliar  air,  and  the  architecture  of  the  buildings  in 
many  respects  seemed  quite  different  from  our  own.  I  sug- 
gested to  my  sister  that  we  drop  downward  a  little.  On 
doing  so,  we  soon  realized  what  caused  this  apparent  differ- 
ence in  the  architecture  and  surroundings.  Where  our  homes 
were  situated  we  were  surrounded  by  people  we  had  known 
and  loved  on  earth,  and  of  our  own  nationality.  Many  of 
these  villages  over  which  we  were  now  passing  we  found 
were  formed  from  what,  to  us,  would  be  termed  of  foreign 
nations,  and  each  village  retained  some  of  the  peculiarities 
of  its  earth-life,  and  these,  to  us,  were  naturally  unfamiliar. 
We  recognized  again  the  wisdom  and  goodness  of  the  Father 
in  thus  allowing  friends  of  the  same  nationality  to  be  located 
near  each  other  in  heaven,  as  on  earth. 

As  we  still  drifted  onward,  in  passing  over  an  exquisitely 
beautiful  valley,  between  low  hills  of  the  most  enchanting 
verdure,  we  saw  a  group  of  people  seated  upon  the  ground 
in  a  semicircle.  They  seemed  to  be  hundreds  in  number, 
and  in  their  midst  a  man  was  standing  who,  apparently,  was 
talking  to  them.  Something  familiar,  and  yet  unfamiliar,  in 
the  scene  attracted  us,  and  I  said,  "  Let  us  go  nearer,  and 


1NTRA   MUROS  157 

hear,  if  possible,  what  he  is  saying,  and  see  who  these  people 
are." 

Upon  doing  this  we  found  the  people  to  resemble  in  a 
great  measure  our  own  Indian  tribes;  their  dress,  in  a  man- 
ner, corresponding  to  that  worn  upon  earth,  though  so 
etherealized  as  to  be  surpassingly  beautiful.  But  the  dusky 
faces  and  the  long  black  hair  still  remained.  The  faces, 
with  intense  interest  depicted  on  each,  were  turned  toward 
the  man  who,  we  could  see,  was  talking  to  them,  and,  looking 
upon  him,  we  saw  at  once  that  he  belonged  to  the  Anglo- 
Saxon  race.  In  a  whisper  of  surprise  I  said  to  my  sister: 

"  Why,  he  is  a  missionary  1" 

As  so  often  seemed  to  me  to  happen  in  that  experience, 
when  a  surprise  or  a  difficulty  presented  itself,  there  was  al- 
ways some  one  near  to  answer  and  enlighten  us.  And  so  we 
found  on  this  occasion  that  our  instructor  was  beside  us  ready 
to  answer  any  surprise  or  question  that  might  be  asked.  He 
said  at  once : 

"  Yes,  you  are  right.  This  is  a  missionary  who  gave  his 
life  to  what  on  earth  were  called  the  heathen.  He  spent 
many  years  in  working  for  them  and  enlightening  those  who 
sat  in  darkness,  with  the  result,  as  you  see  before  you,  of 
bringing  hundreds  into  the  kingdom  of  the  Master.  But,  as 
you  will  naturally  suppose,  they  have  much  to  learn,  and 
here  he  still  gathers  them  about  him,  and  day  by  day  leads 
them  higher  and  higher  into  the  blessed  life," 


158  1NTRA   MUROS 

"  Are  there  many  such,"  I  asked,  "  doing  this  work  in  this 
beautiful  realm?" 

"  Many  hundreds,"  he  said.  "  To  these  poor  minds,  un- 
enlightened as  they  were  when  they  first  came,  heaven  is  as 
beautiful  and  happy  a  place  as  it  is  to  any  who  have  ascended 
higher,  simply  because  we  can  enjoy  only  in  the  capacity  to 
which  our  souls  can  reach.  There  are  none  of  us  who  have 
not  much  yet  to  learn  of  this  wonderful  country." 

In  several  instances,  as  we  drifted  across  above  the  villages, 
we  heard  songs  of  praise  arising  from  the  temples,  and  from 
people  collected  in  different  ways.  In  many  cases,  to  our 
surprise,  the  hymns  and  the  words  were  those  with  which  we 
had  been  familiar  on  earth,  and,  although  sung  in  a  strange 
tongue,  we  understood  them  all.  That  was  another  of  the 
wonderful  surprises  of  heaven.  There  was  no  language 
there  that  we  could  not  understand. 

On,  and  on,  and  on,  through  wonderful  scenes  of  beauty 
we  passed,  returning  finally  to  our  own  homes  by  a  different 
way  from  that  by  which  we  had  gone  forth,  seeming  to  have 
made  almost  a  circle  in  our  pleasant  journeyings.  When  I 
left  my  sister  in  her  own  home  she  whispered  to  me  as  she 
bade  me  good-by  for  the  present: 

"  It  has  been  a  day  of  such  wonderful  rest  and  pleasure 
that  we  must  soon  repeat  it  together."  And  I  answered : 

"  Yes,  dear,  we  will." 

In  several  instances  the  subject  of  dual  marriages  has  been 
introduced.  More  than  once  it  has  been  suggested,  "  If  a 


INTRA   MUROS  159 

man  marrying  in  early  life,  and,  being  devotedly  attached  to 
the  woman  he  has  married,  should  unfortunately  lose  her, 
and  after  many  years  of  solitary  waiting  find  another  con- 
genial soul  to  whom  his  whole  heart  goes  out  and  marriage  is 
the  result,  and  they  have  many  years  of  wedded  happiness 
together  before  she,  too,  is  called,  to  whom  will  he  belong 
in  the  other  life?" 

In  the  many  phases  of  the  divine  life  that  seemed  to  come 
to  me  in  my  vision,  such  thoughts  as  the  above  were  never  by 
any  means  suggested.  Speaking  from  my  own  natural  intui- 
tions, I  cannot  but  think  that  as  soon  as  the  immortal  part 
of  us  leaves  the  earthly  tenement,  it  lays  down  forever,  with 
that  tenement,  all  thoughts  that  embarrassed  or  grieved 
or  pained  the  spirit.  In  the  homes  of  heaven  there  was  per- 
petual love  and  joy  and  peace  and  happiness  without  meas- 
ure. This  one  thing  I  know:  In  heaven  are  no  conflicting 
ties;  no  questions  that  vex;  no  conditions  that  annoy;  the 
whole  heart  springs  up  to  do  the  will  of  the  Father,  and 
nothing  less  than  that  will  suffice. 

In  answer  to  the  question  in  many  instances  proposed  to 
me,  as  to  whether  I  consider  this  experience  as  a  revelation,  I 
can  only  say,  as  heretofore,  that  I  gave  it  as  it  came  to  me, 
and  every  one  must  draw  his  own  inference  concerning  it.  I 
can  be  the  guide  for  no  one. 

There  are  some  seeming  inconsistencies  in  the  book,  of 
which  I  myself  am  aware.  Looking  back  upon  it  after  near- 
ly four  years  have  passed,  it  seems  to  me  to  be  more  a  series 


160  INTRJ   MUROS 

of  instructions  such  as  we  give  little  children  here  in  a 
kindergarten.  It  does  not  purport  to  be  a  revelation  of 
what  has  been  or  what  will  be,  in  the  strict  sense  of  the  word, 
but,  as  I  have  already  suggested,  more  as  we  would  teach 
children  in  a  kindergarten.  I  myself  noticed,  in  transcribing 
this  strange  experience,  the  fact  that  the  first  lesson  to  be 
taught  almost  invariably  came  as  an  illustration;  and,  after 
my  wonder  and  pleasure  had  taken  in  all  that  the  picture 
itself  would  teach,  then  followed  the  revelation,  or  a  general 
application  of  its  meaning.  For  instance,  that  I  may  make 
my  meaning  more  clear :  When  I  myself  first  entered  with- 
in the  gates,  I  was  shown  the  wonders  of  the  celestial  gar- 
dens and  the  magic  of  the  beautiful  river;  then  the  meeting 
with  the  dear  ones  from  whom  I  had  been  so  long  parted. 
And  so  I  came  to  know  the  rapture  of  the  disembodied  spirit 
on  its  first  entrance  "  Within  the  Walls."  Afterwards  fol- 
lowed the  instruction  or  first  lessons  concerning  this  life 
into  which  I  seemed  to  have  entered,  until,  as  I  said,  the  first 
illustrations  and  the  instructions  formed  for  me  but  one 
perfect  lesson.  And  when,  as  time  passed,  I  met  and  wel- 
comed my  dear  sister,  my  husband  and  my  son,  I  knew  the 
other  side  of  the  question — the  joy  that  came  even  to  the 
angels  in  heaven  when  they  welcomed  the  beloved  ones  who 
came  to  them  from  the  world  below.  And  so,  all  through 
the  book,  the  instruction  was  invariably  preceded  by  the  illus- 
tration. Thus  I  can  but  think,  if  any  meaning  can  be  at- 
tached to  this  strange  vision,  that  it  is  simply  a  lesson  in  a 


INTRA   MUROS  161 

general  way  of  what  we  may  expect  and  hope  for  when  we 
reach  the  thither  shore. 

Again,  the  question  is  many  times  repeated,  "  Does  this 
experience  retain  its  vividness  as  time  passes,  or  does  it  grow 
unreal  and  dreamlike  to  you?"  I  can  partially  forget  some 
of  the  happiest  experiences  of  my  earth-life,  but  time  seems 
only  to  intensify  to  me  the  wonders  of  those  days  when  my 
feet  really  stood  upon  the  border-land  of  the  two  worlds.  It 
seemed  to  me  that  at  every  step  we  took  in  the  divine  life 
our  souls  reached  up  toward  something  better,  and  we  had 
no  inclination  to  look  behind  to  that  which  had  passed,  or  to 
try  to  solve  what  in  our  mortal  life  had  been  intricate  or 
perplexing  questions  or  mysteries.  Like  the  cup  that  is  filled 
to  overflowing  at  the  fountain  with  pure  and  sparkling 
water,  so  our  souls  were  filled — more  than  filled — with 
draughts  from  the  fountain  of  all  good,  until  there  was  no 
longer  room  for  aught  else.  "  How  then,"  you  ask,  "  could 
you  reach  out  for  more,  when  you  had  all  that  you  could  re- 
ceive?" Because  moment  by  moment,  hour  by  hour,  our 
souls  grew  and  expanded  and  opened  to  receive  fresh 
draughts  of  divine  instruction  which  was  constantly  lifting 
us  nearer  to  the  source  of  all  perfection. 

Some  of  the  letters  that  have  come  to  me  have  been  so 
pathetic  in  their  inquiries,  that  they  have  called  forth  sym- 
pathetic tears,  and  an  intense  longing  to  speak  with  authority 
upon  the  questions  raised.  That  privilege  God  has  not  given 
me.  I  can  only  tell  how  it  seemed  to  me  in  those  blissful 


162  INTRA   MUROS 

hours  when  earth  seemed  remote  and  heaven  very  near  and 
real.  One  suffering  mother  writes,  "  Do  you  think  I  could 
pray  still  for  my  darling  girl  ?"  How  I  longed  to  take  her  in 
sympathetic  arms  and  whisper  to  her  that  the  dear  child  of 
her  love,  I  doubted  not,  was  praising  God  continually  and 
had  no  longer  need  of  earthly  prayer.  She  loved  and  trusted 
the  Savior  as  she  went  down  into  the  Valley  of  Shadows,  and 
his  loving  arms  received  and  comforted  her.  To  all  such  I 
would  say — and  many  are  the  letters  of  like  import  received : 

"  Look  up,  dear  friends,  and  see  the  loved  ones,  as  I  saw 
those  so  dear  to  me,  happy  and  blessed  beyond  all  human  con- 
ception in  the  house  of  many  mansions  prepared  for  us  by 
our  loving  Father."  Oh,  those  wonderful  mansions  upon 
which  my  longing  heart  looks  back!  Believe  in  them,  look 
forward  to  them,  beloved  friends,  for  we  have  the  Savior's 
promise  that  they  at  least  are  there :  "  In  my  Father's  house 
are  many  mansions."  His  promises  never  fail ;  and  I  am 
sure  of  one  thing  they  will  not  be  less  beautiful  than  those 
I  looked  upon  in  my  vision. 

This  thought,  to  me,  answers  in  a  measure  the  questions 
asked  in  regard  to  dual  marriages.  My  own  belief,  of  this 
mortal  life,  is,  that  no  two  friends  can  occupy  the  same  place 
in  our  hearts.  Each  heart  is  filled  with  chambers  stately  and 
old,  and  to  each  beloved  guest  is  assigned  a  chamber  exclu- 
sively for  himself.  That  room  is  always  his.  If  death,  or 
distance,  or  even  disgrace,  separates  him  from  us,  still  the 
room  is  his  and  his  only  forever.  No  other  person  can  ever 


INTRA   MUROS  163 

occupy  it.  Others  may  have  rooms  equally  choice,  but  when 
a  guest  has  once  departed  from  the  room  he  has  held  in  an- 
other heart,  the  door  of  that  room  is  barred  forever;  it  is 
held  inviolate — sacred  to  the  departed  guest.  And  so,  in 
heaven,  each  guest  has  his  separate  room  or  home.  "  In  my 
Father's  house  are  many  mansions.  I  go  to  prepare  a  place 
(room)  for  you." 

I  am  no  advocate  of  second  marriages.  The  thought  of 
two  lives  alone  as  one,  is  beautiful  to  me;  but  I  do  not,  all 
the  same,  believe  that  a  man  sins  against  the  memory  of  a 
wife  beloved  and  lost,  when  he  places  by  her  side  (not  in  her 
place)  a  good  woman  to  cheer  and  brighten  his  home.  She 
cannot,  if  she  would,  take  the  place  left  vacant  in  his  home 
and  heart;  it  is  inviolate.  I  speak,  of  course,  of  true  mar- 
riages, where  not  only  hands  are  joined,  but  hearts  and  souls 
are  knit  together  as  one  forever. 

"  What  are  the  duties  of  heaven  ?"  So  many  and  varied,  I 
should  judge,  as  to  make  the  question  unanswerable.  Much 
in  "  Intra  Muros  "  shows  the  trend  of  daily  life. 

"  Rest  ?"  One  of  the  duties  as  well  as  the  pleasures  of 
heaven.  Rest  does  not  of  necessity  mean  inactivity.  How 
often  in  this  life  does  laying  aside  of  one  duty  and  taking 
up  another  bring  rest  to  both  mind  and  body!  Still,  as  I 
found  it,  there  was  at  times  absolute  "  rest  "  for  both  mind 
and  body  in  that  blissful  repose  that  only  heaven  can  give. 

In  but  one  instance  of  the  manifold  letters  received  was 
any  feeling  produced  in  their  perusal  except  that  of  pleasure 


164  INTRA   MUROS 

and  gratitude  that  I — with  so  little  physical  strength  of  my 
own — could  bring  comfort  and  pleasure  into  the  lives  of 
others.  I  thank  our  gracious  Father  that  he  has  so  kindly 
permitted  it.  The  one  letter  to  which  I  refer  contains  so 
many  almost  puerile  inquiries,  that  I  simply  laid  it  aside  with 
a  quotation  from  St.  Paul,  "  Of  the  earth  earthy,"  and  asked 
the  Father  to  lift  the  heart  of  the  writer  into  a  purer  light. 

In  conclusion  I  can  only  reiterate  that  I  am  no  prophet, 
I  am  no  seer;  but,  in  my  inmost  soul,  I  honestly  believe  that 
if  the  joys  of  heaven  are  greater,  if  the  glories  "  Within  the 
Walls  "  are  more  radiant  than  I  in  my  vision  beheld  them, 
I  cannot  understand  how  even  the  immortal  spirit  can  bear 
to  look  upon  them.  R.  R.  S. 


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